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Blade and Mounting for a Short Sword (Wakizashi)

Swordsmith Blade inscribed by Naotane Taikei Japanese
Decorator Engraving on blade attributed to Honjō Yoshitane Japanese
Fittings maker Sword guard (Tsuba) inscribed by Yukinaka Japanese
blade, dated 1839; mounting, early–mid 19th century
Not on view
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

Object Information
  • Title: Blade and Mounting for a Short Sword (Wakizashi)
  • Swordsmith: Blade inscribed by Naotane Taikei (Japanese, Yamagata 1778–1857 Edo)
  • Decorator: Engraving on blade attributed to Honjō Yoshitane (Japanese, Edo period, 19th century)
  • Fittings maker: Sword guard (Tsuba) inscribed by Yukinaka (Japanese, Hagi, active 19th century)
  • Date: blade, dated 1839; mounting, early–mid 19th century
  • Geography: Hagi, Nagato Province (Yamaguchi Prefecture)
  • Culture: Japanese
  • Medium: Steel, wood, lacquer, rayskin (samé), thread, iron, copper-silver alloy (shibuichi), gold, silver
  • Dimensions: L. 26 3/4 in. (67.9 cm); L. of blade 23 3/8 in. (59.4 cm); L. of cutting edge 17 27/32 in. (45.3 cm); D. of curvature 9/64 in. (0.36 cm)
  • Classification: Swords
  • Credit Line: Gift of Brayton Ives and W. T. Walters, 1891
  • Object Number: 91.2.84
  • Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor

More Artwork

More Artwork
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Blade and Mounting for a Sword (Katana), Naotane Taikei Japanese, Steel, wood, lacquer, rayskin (samé), silk, iron, copper-gold alloy (shakudō), copper, gold, silver, Japanese
Blade and Mounting for a Sword (Katana)
Multiple artists/makers
blade, dated 1839; mounting, 19th century
Blades and Mountings for a Pair of Swords (Daishō), Naotane Taikei Japanese, Steel, wood, lacquer, rayskin, silk, iron, copper-gold alloy (shakudō), copper, gold, silver, copper-silver alloy (shibuichi), Japanese
Blades and Mountings for a Pair of Swords (Daishō)
Multiple artists/makers
blades, dated 1839; mountings, 19th century
Blade for a Double-Edged Sword (<i>Ken</i>), Steel, Japanese
Blade for a Double-Edged Sword (Ken)
Japanese
5th century
Blades and Mountings for a Pair of Swords (Daishō), Sukemitsu of Bizen Japanese, Steel, wood, lacquer, copper-silver alloy (shibuichi), gold, copper, rayskin, silk, Japanese
Blades and Mountings for a Pair of Swords (Daishō)
Multiple artists/makers
sword (katana) blade, dated 1440; short sword (wakizashi) blade, 15th century; mountings, late 18th century
Sword Guard (Tsuba), Iron, copper, Japanese
Sword Guard (Tsuba)
Japanese
late 14th century

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