Blade for a Dagger (Tantō) with Mounting (Chisagatana)

mid- to late 19th century

Not on view

The chisagatana-type mounting is distinguished by the inclusion of a small tsuba (sword guard), a fitting typically omitted from dagger (tantō) mountings. The grip is covered with ray skin and wrapped with baleen, and the black-lacquered scabbard is decorated with engraved butterflies and paulownia flowers, which are highlighted with crushed abalone shell.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Exhibition History

References

Title: Blade for a Dagger (Tantō) with Mounting (Chisagatana)
Date: mid- to late 19th century
Culture: Japanese
Medium: Steel, copper-gold alloy (shakudō), copper-silver alloy (shubuichi), wood, lacquer, abalone shell, ray skin, silk, whale bone (baleen)
Dimensions: L. 18 1/4 in. (46.4 cm); W. 2 in. (5.1 cm); Wt. 1 lb. 1.9 oz. (507.5 g)
Classification: Daggers
Credit Line: Gift of Etsuko O. Morris and John H. Morris Jr., 2018
Object Number: 2018.833.19a–j
Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor

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