金魚子地秋草図金具合口拵・付銀刀 Blade and Mounting for a Dagger (Tantō)

Fittings and blade by 宮田信清 Miyata Nobukiyo Japanese

mid–late 19th century

Not on view

This dagger (tantō) is one of the finest works by Miyata Nobukiyo (宮田信清, 1817–1884), who was born the son of a samurai in Kyōto, but was adopted into the family of a Shintō priest at the age of fifteen. One year after his adoption, he began an apprenticeship with the illustrious Gotō family of sword-fitting makers and established his own workshop in Edo (Tokyo) in 1843. Nobukiyo made the solid-gold fittings decorated with matching autumnal grasses in relief as well as the ceremonial silver blade.The latter is engraved on both sides with temple guardians (Niō) and lines from the Lotus Sutra.

Artwork Details

Title: 金魚子地秋草図金具合口拵・付銀刀 Blade and Mounting for a Dagger (Tantō)
Artist: Fittings and blade by 宮田信清 Miyata Nobukiyo (Japanese, Kyōto 1817–1884 Edo (present-day Tokyo))
Date: mid–late 19th century
Culture: Japanese
Medium: Steel, silver, copper, copper-gold alloy (shakudō), gold, ray skin (same), baleen, lacquer
Dimensions: L. 9 7/8 in. (25.1 cm); L. of blade 13 9/16 in. (34.5 cm); L. of cutting edge 9 7/16 in. (23.9 cm)
Classification: Daggers
Credit Line: Gift of Brayton Ives and W. T. Walters, 1891
Object Number: 91.2.75
Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor

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