One empire. One exhibition. Countless histories to explore.
Experience the rise and reign of Japan’s aesthetically minded warrior class at Samurai: The Making of a Warrior.
This winter the Museum offers visitors a not-to-miss exhibition of samurai arms, armor, and artifacts. Join us in examining the war-making and tangible heritage of a centuries-spanning empire.
Samurai: The Making of a Warrior is open through February 2, 2025.
Venice and the Ottoman Empire tickets can be used to gain entry to Samurai: The Making of a Warrior.
Free for Members
$20 Adults, $17 Seniors age 65 and older, $12 Students (ages 7–22), free for children 6 and under
About Samurai: The Making of a Warrior
Through February 2, 2025
Samurai: The Making of a Warrior invites visitors to consider the original purpose of Japan’s material culture of war and see its connections to history, art, daily life, and politics. The exhibition features samurai arms and armor from an exceptional private collection in Greensboro, NC, displayed alongside visually compelling cultural objects, offering a more nuanced view of samurai life and history. Also included in this exhibition is a discussion about samurai women, who were often key to successful samurai families and played significant—if largely hidden—roles in the careers of famous male samurai leaders.
Exhibition Events
Plan Your Visit
Samurai: The Making of a Warrior is on view in East Building on Level B.
More information on parking and Museum hours
Tickets
- Free for Members
- $20 Adults
- $17 Seniors age 65 and older
- $12 Students (ages 7–22)
- Free for children 6 and under
Exhibition Store
Wednesday–Sunday, 10 am–5 pm
NCMA Café
Wednesday–Sunday, 10 am–5 pm, for coffee and snack service
Wednesday–Friday, 11 am–2:45 pm, for lunch and brunch service
Saturday–Sunday, 10:30 am–2:45 pm, for lunch and brunch service
East Café
Friday–Sunday, 11 am–4 pm
Sandwiches, salads, grab-and-go items, snacks, coffee, beverages, and more
Become a member today to enjoy special savings!
Enhance your experience of all special exhibitions and our world-class collection with these exclusive benefits:
- Free admission to all special ticketed exhibitions
- Exclusive Member Mondays during select ticketed exhibitions
- Invitations to exhibition openings and other celebrations
- Discount on summer concerts in the Joseph M. Bryan, Jr., Theater in the Museum Park
- Discount on film tickets
- 10% off purchases in the Museum Store
- Preview, the Museum’s quarterly magazine, mailed to your home
- Member e-newsletters
Saotome school, Saotome Iechika (signed), Helmet (kabuto) with red-eared monster, Edo period, circa 1700, iron, leather, lacquer, silk, wood, and horsehair, H. 18.1 × W. 12.2 in., Collection of Gary Grose
Samurai: The Making of a Warrior is organized by the North Carolina Museum of Art.
This exhibition is made possible, in part, by the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources; the North Carolina Museum of Art Foundation, Inc.; and the William R. Kenan Jr. Endowment for Educational Exhibitions. Research for this exhibition was made possible by Ann and Jim Goodnight/The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Fund for Curatorial and Conservation Research and Travel.