The Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum

June 6 - October 31, 2015

SAMURAI…THE WARRIOR HORSEMEN OF JAPAN

Preview Opening Reception - May 30 / Public Opening – June 6

Domaru Tosei Gusoku armor from early Edo period (1603 – 1650). The helmet is  Akodanari Sujibachi Kabuto (melon shaped helmet of 18 muscle) with a Medate of a mythical Shinto daemon called a Oni. (Courtesy of the Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum)

Domaru Tosei Gusoku armor from early Edo period (1603 1650). The helmet is Akodanari Sujibachi Kabuto (melon shaped helmet of 18 muscle) with a Medate of a mythical Shinto daemon called a Oni. (Courtesy of the Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum)

Locating 35 miles north of Santa Barbara, California, the Santa Ynez Valley Historical Society and its History Museum was organized in 1961 by a group of dedicated Santa Ynez residents who recognized the need to preserve and to celebrate the local history for future generations.

Departing from its local history tradition, the Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum opens its newest exhibition “SAMURAI … The Warrior Horsemen of Japan” on Saturday, May 30, 5 pm – 8 pm, with a Japanese inspired appetizer reception and a fast paced taiko drum performance by the Togen Daiko drummers from the Oxnard Buddist Temple.

Fresh sushi, tasty Japanese appetizers, sake and sweets are being featured at this opening event.  Tickets are $40 per person or $70 per couple and include the reception, tour of the exhibition by the owners of the Samurai armor collection, and the Togen Daiko taiko drum performance.

This rare exhibit of authentic s Samurai armor, helmets and weaponry is the private collection of Steven Graves, a local resident who has traveled to Japan for work and pleasure over many years.

Graves, who had a personal interest in collecting the Samurai armor, has never before exhibited the nine fully authentic and complete Samurai warrior suits of armor and unique, often strange looking warrior helmets.

The Museum will hold a public exhibit opening on Saturday, June 6 from 4 pm – 6:30 pm.  Special feature will be the Santa Barbara Kendo Dojo demonstrating the sport of kendo.  The kendo demonstration is scheduled to begin at 5 pm in the museum courtyard. Families and especially children will enjoy watching the kendo demonstration.

Tickets for the public opening are free for Santa Ynez Valley Museum members and $5 for non-members.  Children 12 and under are free.  Admission available at the gate.

“SAMURAI…The Warrior Horsemen of Japan” will run through October 2015.  To purchase tickets to the Saturday, May 30 special opening  reception, call the museum at (805) 688-7889 or go online to www.santaynezmuseum.org   Tickets must be purchased in advance as space is limited.

For more information about the exhibit or to schedule a private tour with Steven Graves, owner of the Samurai armor collection, call the museum at (805) 688-7889. Tours for groups up to eight people will be scheduled through the museum office.

Museum hours are Wednesday through Sunday, noon to 4 pm.  Admission is $4 for adults, free under 16 years.  The museum is located at 3596 Sagunto Street, Santa Ynez, CA 93460.

The Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum is composed of exhibit spaces that include the Native American Room, the Museum Gift Shop, the Pioneer Room, the Jeannette Lyons Costume Room, the Valley Room and the Ellen Gleason Library that houses the museum book and archive collection.