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.
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.
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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)
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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 created | February 13, 2004 |
Record URL |
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