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Dagger and Scabbard

18th century-19th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The blade of this Japanese guardless dagger (‘aiguchi’) is signed Kiyomitsu. It probably dates from the 18th or 19th century. The hilt and scabbard are of a hard dark wood with the grain emphasised, inlaid with insects and snails in ivory and pearl-shell in low relief. The mounts are of silver engraved with ‘karakusa’ scrolls. There is a small utility knife (‘kogai’) in the side of the scabbard. The blade and mounting are contemporary with each other.

Daggers were worn both by samurai and by non-samurai, including, increasingly, the merchant classes. Merchants tended towards gaudier mountings for their blades, so the restrained colours of the lacquer and metal fittings on this dagger would indicate that it was probably made for a samurai, perhaps an older gentleman.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 4 parts.

  • Dagger
  • Scabbard
  • Kogai
  • Bag
Brief description
Met, Japan, SWORDS and DAGGERS

Met, Japan, swords and daggers

Met, Japan, swords and daggers

Met, Japan, swords and daggers
Physical description
Japanese guardless dagger (aiguchi). Blade signed Kiyomitsu, probably of the 18th or 19th century mounted in a lacquered wooden scabbard with ivory and mother-of-pearl inlay and silver fittings.
Style
Marks and inscriptions
Kiyomitsu (Japanese; outer face (omote) of the blade)
Translation
Kiyomitsu - smith's name
Object history
Given by Mr. A. Tyson, accessioned in 1907. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Asia Department registers, as part of a 2022 provenance research project.
Summary
The blade of this Japanese guardless dagger (‘aiguchi’) is signed Kiyomitsu. It probably dates from the 18th or 19th century. The hilt and scabbard are of a hard dark wood with the grain emphasised, inlaid with insects and snails in ivory and pearl-shell in low relief. The mounts are of silver engraved with ‘karakusa’ scrolls. There is a small utility knife (‘kogai’) in the side of the scabbard. The blade and mounting are contemporary with each other.

Daggers were worn both by samurai and by non-samurai, including, increasingly, the merchant classes. Merchants tended towards gaudier mountings for their blades, so the restrained colours of the lacquer and metal fittings on this dagger would indicate that it was probably made for a samurai, perhaps an older gentleman.
Collection
Accession number
65 to C-1907

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Record createdFebruary 13, 2004
Record URL
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