tanto;
blade
- Museum number
- 1958,0730.48.a
- Description
-
Sword blade (tanto). Made of steel. Signed and inscribed. With mounting (registered separately).
- Production date
- 1582 (eighth month)
- Dimensions
-
Length: 22 centimetres (without tang)
- $Inscriptions
-
-
- Curator's comments
- Harris 2005
This 'tanto' is a straight 'hira zukuri' blade with 'bohi' grooves. The tang has two holes and the file marks are 'katte sagari'. The tang tip is 'kurijiri'. The grain is flowing 'itame' with 'bo utsuri'. The 'hamon' is 'suguha' with a tight 'nioiguchi' and a moist 'yakidashi', and the 'boshi' is 'komaru' with a long return.
The scabbard is of black lacquer with applied silver chrysanthemums and foliage in gold 'makie'. The metal fittings are of 'shibuichi' with an 'ishime' ground with floral designs, and the 'menuki' are in the form of morning glories. The hilt is bound with 'whale's beard' (extracted from the fringe coating found on whales' baleen). The mounting was assembled in the Meiji era.
- Location
- Not on display
- Acquisition date
- 1958
- Department
- Asia
- Registration number
- 1958,0730.48.a
