Arrowhead (<i>Yanone</i>)
Unknown Artist
18th century
Medium
Steel
Dimensions
L. 9 in. (22.9 cm); L. of head 3 1/4 in. (8.3 cm); W. 3/4 in. (1.9 cm); Wt. 1 oz. (28.3 g)
Classification
Archery Equipment-Arrowheads
Culture
Japanese
Department
Arms and Armor
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The Collection of Giovanni P. Morosini, presented by his daughter Giulia, 1932
Accession Number
32.75.443
Art Historical Context
This exquisite steel arrowhead, known as a *yanone*, hails from 18th-century Japan, a time when the Edo period's relative peace allowed martial traditions like archery to flourish among samurai and commoners alike. Measuring just 9 inches long with a head of 3¼ inches, this lightweight (1 oz.) piece exemplifies the precision engineering of Japanese arms and armor. Crafted for bows, *yanone* came in varied shapes tailored for warfare, hunting, or ceremonial use, reflecting the culture's deep integration of artistry and functionality. Forged from high-quality steel, the arrowhead showcases the ...