Short sword (wakizashi) blade and mounting
Place of OriginJapan
Dateapprox. 1500
PeriodMuromachi period (1392-1573)
MaterialsForged and tempered steel; Sharkskin, black lacquer; gold on bronze
DimensionsL. 28 in
Credit LineThe Avery Brundage Collection
Object numberB64W7
DepartmentJapanese Art
ClassificationsArms And Armament
On View
On viewLocationGallery 27
More InformationSamurai of the Edo period (1615–1868) wore two swords, called daisho, meaning “large and small.” These swords were thrust into a sash. This pair (B64W7 and B64W8) of a long and a short sword became the samurai’s symbol; to wear daisho was the samurai’s exclusive right and privilege.
Subject
- samurai
1757-1800
approx. 1875-1925
approx. 1893-1894
approx. 1850-1950
approx. 1750-1850
perhaps 1925 - 1975
approx. 1877