Blade and Mounting for a Sword (Katana)

Blade inscribed by Naotane Taikei Japanese
 Engraving on blade attributed to Honjō Yoshitane Japanese
 Sword guard (tsuba) inscribed by Yukinaka Japanese

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 378

Although both blades are by Naotane, that of the long sword (katana) is made in the Bizen style, while that of the short sword (wakizashi) is made in the Sōshū style. The engraving on both is attributed to Yoshitane, who decorated many of Naotane's blades.

Blade and Mounting for a Sword (Katana), Blade inscribed by Naotane Taikei (Japanese, Yamagata 1778–1857 Edo), Steel, wood, lacquer, rayskin (samé), silk, iron, copper-gold alloy (shakudō), copper, gold, silver, Japanese

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Obverse

Blade and Mounting for a Sword (Katana), Blade inscribed by Naotane Taikei (Japanese, Yamagata 1778–1857 Edo), Steel, wood, lacquer, rayskin (samé), silk, iron, copper-gold alloy (shakudō), copper, gold, silver, Japanese
Blade and Mounting for a Sword (Katana), Blade inscribed by Naotane Taikei (Japanese, Yamagata 1778–1857 Edo), Steel, wood, lacquer, rayskin (samé), silk, iron, copper-gold alloy (shakudō), copper, gold, silver, Japanese

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