Blade for a Sword (Katana)

Swordsmith Blade inscribed by Gassan Sadatoshi Japanese

Swordsmith Blade inscribed by Gassan Ichirō Japanese

dated May 16, 2004

Not on view

This sword blade was made by the contemporary master swordsmith Gassan Sadatoshi, in cooperation with his son Ichirō. Staff members of the Arms and Armor Department of The Metropolitan Museum of Art named in the inscription on the tang (Stuart Pyhrr, Morihiro Ogawa, Donald LaRocca, and Robert Carroll) also participated in the initial forging of the blade during a visit to Mr. Gassan's workshop in Nara, Japan.

Artwork Details

Overview

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Title: Blade for a Sword (Katana)
Swordsmith: Blade inscribed by Gassan Sadatoshi (Japanese, born 1946)
Swordsmith: Blade inscribed by Gassan Ichirō (Japanese, born 1979)
Date: dated May 16, 2004
Culture: Japanese
Medium: Steel
Dimensions: L. 36 7/8 in. (93.7 cm); L. of blade edge 28 7/8 in. (73.4 cm); D. of curvature 3/4 in. (1.9 cm)
Classification: Sword Blades
Credit Line: Purchase, Arthur Ochs Sulzberger Gift, 2004
Object Number: 2004.401a, b
Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor

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