Blade and Mounting for a Short Sword (Wakizashi)

blade, late 17th century; mounting, mid–late 19th century

Not on view

A wakizashi is a short sword with a blade between 30 and 60 cm long, usually worn in tandem with a full-length sword (katana). Wakizashi were fashionable in the Muromachi period (1392–1573) and later.

Artwork Details

Title: Blade and Mounting for a Short Sword (Wakizashi)
Date: blade, late 17th century; mounting, mid–late 19th century
Culture: Japanese
Medium: Steel, wood, lacquer, silver, mother-of-pearl
Dimensions: L. 24 11/16 in. (62.7 cm); L. of blade 27 11/16 in. (70.3 cm); L. of cutting edge 21 1/4 in. (54 cm); D. of curvature 1/2 in. (1.2 cm)
Classification: Swords
Credit Line: Gift of Brayton Ives and W. T. Walters, 1891
Object Number: 91.2.86
Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor

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