Sword and Scabbard
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This Japanese court sword (‘kazaridachi’) has a wooden scabbard decorated in lacquer of the type known as ‘nashiji’, meaning ‘pear-skin appearance’, with mother-of-pearl inlay of pairs of mythical Ho-o birds (a type of phoenix). The metal fittings are of copper-gilt filigree work inlaid with turquoise enamels. The decoration also incorporates a design of paulownia leaves - the plant associated with the ruling Tokugawa shoguns of the Edo period (1600-1868) - and the triple hollyhock crest of the Tokugawa family.
From the Heian period (794-1185) the kazaridachi was the most common form of mounting for swords worn at the imperial court and this style remained in use until the 19th century. Intended purely for ceremonial occasions and worn by courtiers rather than warriors, the kazaridachi rarely held a well-forged steel blade. This mounting holds a poorly constructed blade signed by Etchu-no-kami Fujiwara no Masatoshi and inscribed ‘made to the order of Lord Tsunemitsu of shonii rank’ and dated equivalent to 1682.
During the Edo period, such mountings were sometimes worn not only by imperial courtiers but also by the shogun and other members of the military aristocracy. The use of the triple hollyhock crest reinforces the suggestion that this kazaridachi was worn by a member of the military aristocracy rather than by imperial aristocracy. The decoration of Ho-o birds coupled with the paulownia leaf symbolises the benevolence of the ruling Tokugawa shoguns.
From the Heian period (794-1185) the kazaridachi was the most common form of mounting for swords worn at the imperial court and this style remained in use until the 19th century. Intended purely for ceremonial occasions and worn by courtiers rather than warriors, the kazaridachi rarely held a well-forged steel blade. This mounting holds a poorly constructed blade signed by Etchu-no-kami Fujiwara no Masatoshi and inscribed ‘made to the order of Lord Tsunemitsu of shonii rank’ and dated equivalent to 1682.
During the Edo period, such mountings were sometimes worn not only by imperial courtiers but also by the shogun and other members of the military aristocracy. The use of the triple hollyhock crest reinforces the suggestion that this kazaridachi was worn by a member of the military aristocracy rather than by imperial aristocracy. The decoration of Ho-o birds coupled with the paulownia leaf symbolises the benevolence of the ruling Tokugawa shoguns.
Object details
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| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
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| Brief description | sword (tachi), Met, Japan, swords and daggers Met, Japan, swords and daggers |
| Physical description | Kazaridachi (court sword); signed by Masatoshi; lacquer scabbard of nashiji lacquer with mother-of-pearl inlay. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Gallery label | Court sword (kazaridachi)
Blade dated 1682; scabbard and fittings 1800–60
Elaborately mounted swords of this kind were used from the 10th century until the late 19th century. They served purely ceremonial purposes, rather than being used in combat. They were worn both by imperial courtiers and high-ranking samurai. The blade of this sword has a signature that refers to a specific imperial court rank.
Steel blade; lacquered wood scabbard with mother-of-pearl inlay; wood and rayskin hilt; gilded fittings with enamel inlay
Given by Sir A.H. Church and Sir Henry Howarth through the Art Fund
Museum no. M.144-1915
(04/11/2015) |
| Credit line | Given by the late Sir A. H. Church KCVO and Sir Henry Howarth KCIE, FRS, through The Art Fund |
| Production | Etchu was the old province name for modern-day Toyama prefecture |
| Summary | This Japanese court sword (‘kazaridachi’) has a wooden scabbard decorated in lacquer of the type known as ‘nashiji’, meaning ‘pear-skin appearance’, with mother-of-pearl inlay of pairs of mythical Ho-o birds (a type of phoenix). The metal fittings are of copper-gilt filigree work inlaid with turquoise enamels. The decoration also incorporates a design of paulownia leaves - the plant associated with the ruling Tokugawa shoguns of the Edo period (1600-1868) - and the triple hollyhock crest of the Tokugawa family. From the Heian period (794-1185) the kazaridachi was the most common form of mounting for swords worn at the imperial court and this style remained in use until the 19th century. Intended purely for ceremonial occasions and worn by courtiers rather than warriors, the kazaridachi rarely held a well-forged steel blade. This mounting holds a poorly constructed blade signed by Etchu-no-kami Fujiwara no Masatoshi and inscribed ‘made to the order of Lord Tsunemitsu of shonii rank’ and dated equivalent to 1682. During the Edo period, such mountings were sometimes worn not only by imperial courtiers but also by the shogun and other members of the military aristocracy. The use of the triple hollyhock crest reinforces the suggestion that this kazaridachi was worn by a member of the military aristocracy rather than by imperial aristocracy. The decoration of Ho-o birds coupled with the paulownia leaf symbolises the benevolence of the ruling Tokugawa shoguns. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.144&A-1915 |
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| Record created | February 12, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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