Blade and Mounting for a Sword (Katana)

blade, 16th century; mounting, late 18th–early 19th century

Not on view

A katana is a sword with a curved blade longer than 60 cm fitted with an uchigatana-style mounting and worn in a waist sash with the cutting edge facing up.

Artwork Details

Object Information

Overview

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Provenance

Title: Blade and Mounting for a Sword (Katana)
Date: blade, 16th century; mounting, late 18th–early 19th century
Culture: Japanese
Medium: Steel, wood, lacquer, rayskin (samé), thread, gold, copper-gold alloy (shakudō)
Dimensions: L. 38 7/8 in. (98.7 cm); L. of blade 36 5/8 in. (93 cm); L. of cutting edge 27 5/8 in. (70.1 cm); D. of curvature 1 in. (2.5 cm)
Classification: Swords
Credit Line: The Collection of Giovanni P. Morosini, presented by his daughter Giulia, 1932
Object Number: 32.75.244
Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor

More Artwork

In the same medium

From the same time and place

Blade and Mounting for a Short Sword (Wakizashi)

Japanese

blade early–mid 14th century, mounting late 18th–early 19th century

Blade and Mounting for a Short Sword (Wakizashi), Yokoyama Kōzukedaijō Sukesada Japanese, Steel, wood, lacquer, ray skin (samé), thread, copper-gold alloy (shakudō), copper, gold, copper-silver alloy (shibuichi), iron, Japanese — Blade and Mounting for a Short Sword (Wakizashi)
Swordsmith Blade inscribed by Yokoyama Kōzukedaijō Sukesada
Fittings maker Fittings inscribed by 乙柳軒政信 Otsuryūken Masanobu
blade, late 17th century; mounting, 19th century

Armor (<i>Gusoku</i>), Saotome Ietada Japanese, Iron, lacquer, silk, gilt copper, Japanese — Armor (*Gusoku*)
Armorer Helmet bowl signed Saotome Ietada
Armorer Breastplate inscribed inside, Myōchin Munesuke
16th and 18th centuries

鮫皮研出鞘大小拵 Blade and Mounting for a Short Sword (<i>Wakizashi</i>), Nobukuni Japanese, Steel, wood, lacquer, ray skin (samé), thread, copper-gold alloy (shakudō), gold, Japanese — 鮫皮研出鞘大小拵 Blade and Mounting for a Short Sword (*Wakizashi*)
Multiple artists/makers
blade, late 14th–early 15th century; mounting, 19th century

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