Blade and Mounting for a Dagger (Tantō)

Swordsmith Blade inscribed by Kuniyoshi Japanese

Fittings maker Fittings inscribed by Toshimasa Japanese

Fittings maker Scabbard inscribed by Kajikawa Japanese

blade, dated 1525; mounting, 19th century

Not on view

Kajikawa, a famous nineteenth-century lacquer artist, occasionally collaborated in making sword mountings.

Artwork Details

Object Information

Overview

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Provenance

Title: Blade and Mounting for a Dagger (Tantō)
Swordsmith: Blade inscribed by Kuniyoshi (Japanese, active ca. 1525)
Fittings maker: Fittings inscribed by Toshimasa (Japanese, active 19th century)
Fittings maker: Scabbard inscribed by Kajikawa (Japanese, 1652–1724)
Date: blade, dated 1525; mounting, 19th century
Geography: probably Gifu; Tokyo
Culture: Japanese
Medium: Steel, wood, copper-gold alloy (shakudō), copper-silver alloy (shibuichi), gold, lacquer, rayskin (samé), silk, abalone shell, silver
Dimensions: L. 17 in. (43.2 cm); L. of blade 13 7/16 in. (34.2cm); L. of cutting edge 10 1/16 in. (25.6 cm)
Classification: Daggers
Credit Line: Gift of Brayton Ives and W. T. Walters, 1891
Object Number: 91.2.54
Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor

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