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Explore Hawaiʻi: a kingdom crossing oceans and Samurai

An imposing samurai helmet and facemask with a bristling moustache.

Dear Andrew,

This week we’re travelling from the islands of Hawaiʻi to the world of the samurai, inspired by our two new exhibitions, Hawaiʻi: a kingdom crossing oceans (until 25 May) and Samurai (until 4 May). Can't wait to visit? Download our themed activities below to discover more!

This week you can…
🌺 Make your own Hawaiian lei
✂️ Create a samurai helmet
🧍‍♀️ Design your own manga character

For older Young Friends, you can dive deeper into both exhibitions with two new videos. Learn more about Japanese swords or go behind-the-scenes with our conservation team as they prepare Hawaiian ʻahu ʻula (feather cloaks) for display.

Plus, join us at the Museum during February half-term for a three-day family festival filled with samurai inspired activities.

Read on to learn more!

The Young Friends and Schools and Family Programmes Teams

Activities to try at home

Make a Hawaiian lei

A lei is a garland or necklace made from flowers, shells or feathers, and giving one in Hawaiʻi is a symbol of aloha- love, respect, and friendliness. Make your own!

Get crafting

Create a samurai helmet

Samurai often wore helmets, or kabuto, into battle. Have a go at designing and making your own.

Make now

Make manga

Manga are Japanese comic books or graphic novels with a twist. Draw and design your own manga character!

Get drawing

Older Young Friends

Ages 14+

A woodblock print of the actor Matsumoto Koshiro V as Akabori Mizuemon, standing by the Oi River

1000 years of Japanese swords

Join project curator Joe Nickols, as they take you through a millennium's worth of Japanese swords.

Watch now

Image of a brown feathered cloak with a white play button over.

Conserving Hawaiʻi: a kingdom crossing oceans

Go behind the scenes with our conservation team as they mount the extraordinary ʻahu ʻula (feather cloaks).

Watch now

Photograph of Great Court at the British Museum.

Take part in our survey

If you have children under 5, we'd love to hear from you. Complete our quick survey below, focused on Museum events for 5 and under – it only takes 3 minutes.

Complete now

Find the connection in the collection!

Can you figure out what the connection between these three objects is? Hint - it is related to hair!

Read on below to find out.

What’s on at the Museum?

Red and black stencil print of a samurai.

Samurai: medieval to modern

Ages 6+

Join us this February half-term with a free, three-day family festival! Inspired by our upcoming Samurai exhibition and in celebration of women and the arts.

Activities are non-ticketed but places will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. You're advised to book a free timed ticket for Museum entry.

Monday 16 – Wednesday 18 February

Find out more

Samurai spectacular

Ages 5 and under

Explore the history and fantasy of samurai through art-making and creative play, in this creative workshop inspired by the Samurai exhibition.

The workshop is free to attend but advance booking is required.

Friday 27 February
10.30–11.15
11.30–12.15
13.15–14.00

Book now

Connection answers

All these helmets have facial hair in their design!

The facial hair wasn’t just for decoration. It helped scare enemies, showed a warrior’s rank, and made it easier to tell different groups apart in battle. These designs were both clever and practical!

Connect with us

Images:

Suit of armour. Steel, russet iron, mail, and lacquered iron and leather sheet with textile, Japan, 1600–1700.

Feather lei, Hawai’i, possibly 1700s.

Suit of samurai armour. Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan, 1700s.

Hoshino Yukinobu 星野之宣 (b. 1952), poster design for Manga: Professor Munakata's British Museum Adventure. Painting on paper, Japan, 2009. Reproduced by permission of the artist.

Utagawa Toyokuni (1769–1825), Matsumoto Koshiro V. Colour woodblock print, 1817.

Close helmet, England, early 1800s.

The Sutton Hoo Helmet, England, early 600s.

Mori Yoshitoshi (1898–1992), Mie o kiru. Stencil print in two colours, 1967.

Kitagawa Utamaro (d. 1806), women and children on Ryogoku Bridge. Colour woodblock print, about 1795–96.

Contact us
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Closed: weekends and bank holidays

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Registered charity number 1086080
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