Blade and Mounting for a Short Sword (<i>Wakizashi</i>)
Unknown Artist
blade and mounting, 19th century; sword guard, 16th century
Medium
Steel, wood, rayskin (<i>same</i>), thread, silver, copper-gold alloy (<i>shakudō</i>), gold
Dimensions
L. 22 15/16 in. (58.2 cm); L. of blade 19 11/16 in. (50 cm); L. of cutting edge 15 11/16 in. (39.8 cm); D. of curvature 1/2 in. (1.2 cm)
Classification
Swords
Culture
Japanese
Department
Arms and Armor
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
H. O. Havemeyer Collection, Bequest of Mrs. H. O. Havemeyer, 1929
Accession Number
29.100.1378a–c
Art Historical Context
This elegant *wakizashi*, a traditional Japanese short sword, showcases the masterful craftsmanship of feudal Japan. Measuring nearly 23 inches overall, with a sharply curved steel blade of about 20 inches, it features intricate mounting including a hilt wrapped in rayskin (*same*) and silk thread for a secure grip, plus fittings in silver, gold, and *shakudō*—a patinated copper-gold alloy prized for its dark, velvety finish. Notably, the sword guard (*tsuba*) dates to 16th century, while the blade and other elements hail from the 19th century, reflecting how samurai weapons were often heirloo...