Blade and Mounting for a Short Sword (Wakizashi)
The Tsunahiro School of swordsmiths existed from the sixteenth century to the nineteenth century, with eleven generations of smiths entitled to sign the name. Dated Tsunahiro blades are extremely rare. Based on the style of the temper line, known as hitatsura, the katana (acc. no. 36.25.1686a, b) and this wakizashi can be attributed to the early generations of the school.
The beautiful black lacquered scabbards were specially made for these two blades in the eighteenth century. The ribbed pattern of the lacquer is known as fuemaki design.
The beautiful black lacquered scabbards were specially made for these two blades in the eighteenth century. The ribbed pattern of the lacquer is known as fuemaki design.
Artwork Details
- Title: Blade and Mounting for a Short Sword (Wakizashi)
- Bladesmith: Tang inscribed by Tsunahiro (Japanese, 16th century–early 17th century)
- Date: blade, 16th century
- Culture: Japanese
- Medium: Steel, wood, lacquer, rayskin (samé), thread, copper-gold alloy (shakudō), silver, horn
- Dimensions: L. 24 13/16 in. (63.1 cm); L. of blade 21 11/16 in. (55.1 cm); L. of cutting edge 15 15/16 in. (40.5 cm); D. or curvature 3/8 in. (0.9 cm)
- Classification: Swords
- Credit Line: Bequest of George C. Stone, 1935
- Object Number: 36.25.1686a, b
- Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Tsunahiro
blade, late 16th–early 17th century
Japanese
5th century
Omori Hidenaga
18th century
Japanese
late 14th century
Hirata School
ca. 1615–1868
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.