Japan, circa 1885
attributed to Kusakabe Kimbei

Taken roughly 20 years after the end of the Samurai’s 700 year reign in Japan, this image represents an effort by the Japanese photographer Kusakabe Kimbei to provide a historical record of the armor and weapons used by this mythic warrior class. In this photograph, each Samurai carries his Katana (the fabled long sword said to contain the heart of the warrior). The central figure holds a Yumi (an asymmetrical bow often used on horseback) and the two outside figures carry wakisashi (small sabers) and Yari (extremely effective spears.)