Blade and Mounting for a Dagger (Tantō)

Swordsmith Blade attributed to Momokawa Nagayoshi Japanese

Fittings maker Mounting inscribed by Kanō Natsuo Japanese

blade, mid–late 14th century; mounting, 19th century

Not on view

Natsuo is consdered the last great maker of sword fittings, and this dagger is one of his masterpieces. The lacquer work is by Shibata Zeshin (1801–1891), one of Japan's leading nineteenth-century lacquer artists.

Artwork Details

Overview

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Provenance

Title: Blade and Mounting for a Dagger (Tantō)
Swordsmith: Blade attributed to Momokawa Nagayoshi (Japanese, active early 15th century)
Fittings maker: Mounting inscribed by Kanō Natsuo (Japanese, 1828–1898)
Date: blade, mid–late 14th century; mounting, 19th century
Culture: Japanese
Medium: Steel, wood, lacquer, gold, silver, copper-silver alloy (shibuichi), copper-gold alloy (shakudō), copper
Dimensions: L. 13 7/16 in. (34.2 cm); L. of blade 11 5/16 in. (28.8 cm); L. of cutting edge 8 5/16 in. (21.1 cm)
Classification: Swords
Credit Line: Gift of Brayton Ives and W. T. Walters, 1891
Object Number: 91.2.30
Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor

More Artwork

By Kanō Natsuo

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Blade for a Double-Edged Sword (<i>Ken</i>), Steel, Japanese — Blade for a Double-Edged Sword (*Ken*)
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Blade and Mounting for a Sword (Katana), Sukemitsu of Bizen Japanese, Steel, wood, lacquer, ray skin (samé), thread, copper-gold alloy (shakudō), copper-silver alloy (shibuichi), Japanese — Blade and Mounting for a Sword (Katana)
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Blade and Mounting for a Short Sword (Wakizashi), Yasumitsu Japanese, Steel, wood, lacquer, ray skin (samé); thread, copper-gold alloy (shakudō), copper-silver alloy (shibuichi), Japanese — Blade and Mounting for a Short Sword (Wakizashi)
Yasumitsu
Iwamoto Konkan
blade, 15th century; mounting, late 18th century

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