Blade for a Double-Edged Sword (Ken)

This blade was commissioned for the Department of Arms and Armor of the Metropolitan Museum of Art as a reconstruction or replica of a rare, early and extremely important ken (acc. no. 06.310.8) in the Museum's collection. Because of the excavated archeological condition of 06.310.8, it is difficult to understand or appreciate its importance or to recognize its original beauty. The replica was made in order to give Museum visitors a vivid sense of its original condition and appearance, and as a prime example of the swordsmiths' art today. The swordsmith, Mr. Miyairi, is a leading practitioner of the blade-makers' art. He was awarded the prestigious Masamune Prize in 2010, only the seventh person to be given this award since its inception 55 years ago.

The blade is wider at the base and narrows down toward the tip, ending in a symmetrical point. The forging has a tightly packed small wood grain pattern that straightens near the temper line, accentuated with thick jie-nie, and streaked with abundant fine chikei, resembling the steel texture of the Awataguchi School. There is a yakiotoshi at 2.8 cm above the ha-machi (notch), and the temper line is of a medium wide straight line pattern (chū-suguha) of small nie structure, with frequent short, small ashi. The temper line on the point is a line that follows the curve of the point (sugu), forming a small semi-circle at the tip. The unpolished tang is pierced by two holes; signature inscribed on the base of the tang: NORIHIRO. The file marks on the tang are of a sensuki pattern. The habaki (collar at base of blade) is made of sterling silver.