Arrowhead (<i>Yanone</i>)
Unknown Artist
18th century
Medium
Steel
Dimensions
L. 6 3/8 in. (16.2 cm); L. of head 1 1/8 in. (2.9 cm); W. 9/16 in. (1.4 cm); Wt. 0.5 oz. (14.2 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
32.75.642
Art Historical Context
This exquisite steel arrowhead, known as *yanone* in Japanese, hails from 18th-century Japan and exemplifies the masterful craftsmanship of the Edo period. Measuring just 6⅜ inches in total length with a slender head of 1⅛ inches wide and weighing a mere 0.5 ounces, its lightweight yet robust design was optimized for long-range archery, allowing arrows to fly swiftly and accurately. Forged from high-quality steel, the *yanone* showcases the precision of traditional Japanese metalworking techniques, where blades were meticulously shaped, tempered, and sharpened to pierce armor or game with dead...