Sword and Scabbard
ca. 1800-1850 (made)
| Place of origin |
This long sword, katana, has a ridged blade of considerable curve and a hand guard, tsuba, of the copper-gold alloy shakudo. The fittings are also of shakudo, as well as silver, gold, carved lacquer and horn. The accompanying scabbard, saya, is of polished black lacquer with a cord of black and white braid. The upper or lower longitudinal half on each side are inlaid with a mosaic of small rounded sections of white shell.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
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| Brief description | Long sword (katana) signed Made in Settsu by Yoshimichi, lord of Mishina in Tanba, guard of copper-gold alloy (shakudo), fittings of shakudo, silver, gold, carved lacquer and horn, scabbard (saya) of polished black lacquer inlaid with white shell, Japan, ca.1800-1850 |
| Physical description | Long sword (katana), ridged blade of considerable curve, signed Made in Settsu by Yoshimichi, lord of Mishina in Tanba (Oite Settsu Mishina Tanba no kami Yoshimichi saku), guard of copper-gold alloy (shakudo), fittings of shakudo, silver, gold, carved lacquer and horn. Scabbard (saya) of polished black lacquer, the upper or lower longitudinal half on each side inlaid with a mosaic of small rounded sections of white shell, cord of black and white silk braid. |
| Dimensions |
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| Gallery label | Pair of long and short swords (daishō)
Blades 1600–1700; scabbards and fittings 1800–50
The samurai were the only class permitted to carry both a long katana and a shorter wakizashi sword. This combination was known as the daishō (large and small). The swords were worn with the cutting edge facing upwards. This allowed the blade to be drawn in a single slashing movement by a samurai fighting on foot. Older blades were often remounted with finely decorated scabbards, hilts and fittings.
Steel blades; lacquered wood scabbards with shell inlay; handles bound with rayskin and silk; patinated copper alloy, silver and gold fittings
Gift of the Misses Alexander
Museum nos. M.924, 925-1916
(04/11/2015) |
| Summary | This long sword, katana, has a ridged blade of considerable curve and a hand guard, tsuba, of the copper-gold alloy shakudo. The fittings are also of shakudo, as well as silver, gold, carved lacquer and horn. The accompanying scabbard, saya, is of polished black lacquer with a cord of black and white braid. The upper or lower longitudinal half on each side are inlaid with a mosaic of small rounded sections of white shell. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.924:1-1916 |
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| Record created | March 10, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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