With behind-the-scenes access to a major new exhibition at the British Museum, Matt Lewis sets out to uncover the story behind one of Japan’s most enduring and misunderstood legacies: the Samurai. Often romanticised as noble warriors bound by an unbreakable code of honour, the reality of the Samurai is far more complex.

Guided by curator Dr Rosina Buckland, Lewis examines a newly acquired suit of armour assembled over more than three centuries, revealing what its intricate craftsmanship and evolving design can tell us about the world of the Samurai. While the armour embodies the familiar image of the fearsome warrior, a closer look uncovers the many layers of identity to these figures...and why they continue to capture imaginations around the world.