Arrowhead (<i>Yanone</i>)
Unknown Artist
18th century
Medium
Steel
Dimensions
L. 8 in. (20.3 cm); L. of head 1 3/8 in. (3.5 cm); W. 1 5/8 in. (4.1 cm); Wt. 0.6 oz. (17 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
32.75.626
Art Historical Context
This exquisite steel arrowhead, known as a *yanone*, hails from 18th-century Japan and exemplifies the masterful craftsmanship of the Edo period. Measuring just 8 inches in total length, with a head of 1⅜ inches long and 1⅝ inches wide, it weighs a mere 0.6 ounces—light lethal, designed for precision in archery. Forged from high-quality steel, its compact form highlights the technical prowess of Japanese smiths, who balanced aerodynamics, penetration, and durability for bows like the asymmetrical *yumi*. In Japanese culture, archery was more than a weapon; it was integral to samurai warfare, ...