Blade and Mounting for a Short Sword (Wakizashi)

blade, 16th century; mounting, early–mid 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

Object Information

Overview

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Provenance

Title: Blade and Mounting for a Short Sword (Wakizashi)
Date: blade, 16th century; mounting, early–mid 19th century
Culture: Japanese
Medium: Steel, wood, lacquer, silk, rayskin (samé), baleen, iron, gold
Dimensions: L. 24 13/16 in. (63.1 cm); L. of blade 22 7/16 in. (57 cm); L. of cutting edge 16 3/4 in. (42.6 cm); D. of curvature 1/2 in. (1.3 cm)
Classification: Swords
Credit Line: Gift of a Trustee of the Museum, 1917
Object Number: 17.207.9a, b
Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor

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