Blade and Mounting for a Short Sword (Wakizashi)

Swordsmith Blade inscribed by Sōkan Japanese

Fittings maker Hilt collar (fuchi) inscribed by Nobuyuki Japanese

blade, early 19th 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

Overview

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Provenance

Title: Blade and Mounting for a Short Sword (Wakizashi)
Swordsmith: Blade inscribed by Sōkan (Japanese, active early 19th century)
Fittings maker: Hilt collar (fuchi) inscribed by Nobuyuki (Japanese, active mid–late 19th century)
Date: blade, early 19th century; mounting mid–late 19th century
Culture: Japanese
Medium: Steel, wood, lacquer, rayskin (samé), thread, copper-gold alloy (shakudō), copper-silver alloy (shibuichi), copper, silver
Dimensions: L. 34 7/16 in. (87.5 cm); L. of blade 23 5/8 in. (60 cm); L. of cutting edge 17 3/4 in. (45.1 cm); D. of curvature 1/4 in. (0.67 cm)
Classification: Swords
Credit Line: Bequest of George C. Stone, 1935
Object Number: 36.25.1702a–c
Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor

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