Blades and Mountings for a Pair of Swords (Daishō)
Although both blades are by Naotane, that of the long sword (katana) is made in the Bizen style, while that of the short sword (wakizashi) is made in the Sōshū style. The engraving on both is attributed to Yoshitane, who decorated many of Naotane's blades.
Artwork Details
- Title: Blades and Mountings for a Pair of Swords (Daishō)
- Swordsmith: Blades inscribed by Naotane Taikei (Japanese, Yamagata 1778–1857 Edo)
- Decorator: Engraving on blades attributed to Honjō Yoshitane (Japanese, Edo period, 19th century)
- Fittings maker: Sword guards (Tsuba) inscribed by Yukinaka (Japanese, Hagi, active 19th century)
- Date: blades, dated 1839; mountings, 19th century
- Geography: Hagi, Nagato Province (Yamaguchi Prefecture)
- Culture: Japanese
- Medium: Steel, wood, lacquer, rayskin, silk, iron, copper-gold alloy (shakudō), copper, gold, silver, copper-silver alloy (shibuichi)
- Dimensions: L. of sword (katana) 39 1/4 in. (99.8 cm); L. of sword (katana) blade 36 31/32 in. (93.9 cm); L. of sword (katana) blade cutting edge 28 5/8 in. (72.7 cm); D. of sword (katana) blade curvature 1 7/32 in. (3.1 cm); L. of short sword (wakizashi) 26 3/4 in. (67.9 cm); L. of short sword (wakizashi) blade 17 27/32 in. (45.3 cm); D. of short sword (wakizashi) blade curvature 9/64 in. (0.36 cm)
- Classification: Swords
- Credit Line: Gift of Brayton Ives and W. T. Walters, 1891
- Object Number: 91.2.56, .84
- Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor
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