Blade and Mounting for a Sword (Katana)
blade, dated 1440; mounting, late 18th century
Medium
Steel, wood, lacquer, ray skin (samé), thread, copper-gold alloy (shakudō), copper-silver alloy (shibuichi)
Dimensions
L. 36 1/2 in. (92.7 cm); L. of blade 30 11/16 in. (77.9 cm); L of cutting edge 24 13/16 in. (63.1 cm); D. of curvature 11/16 in. (1.8 cm)
Classification
Swords
Culture
Japanese
Department
Arms and Armor
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The Howard Mansfield Collection, Gift of Howard Mansfield, 1936
Accession Number
36.120.417a, b
Art Historical Context
This exquisite *Blade and Mounting for a (Katana)* showcases the pinnacle of Japanese sword-making across centuries. The blade, forged by the renowned Sukemitsu of Bizen 1440 during the Muromachi period exemplifies the Bizen school's mastery of steel tempering. At 30 11/16 inches long a 24 13/16-inch cutting edge, its subtle 11/16-inch curvaturesori) balances lethal sharpness with elegant form, ideal for the samurai warrior. The late 18th-century mounting by Iwamoto Konkan elevates the weapon into a work of art. Crafted from lacquered wood, ray skin (samé) for grip, and ornate alloys like sha...
About the Artist
Sukemitsu of Bizen|Iwamoto Konkan (Japanese|Japanese) · 1400 |1744 –1500 |1801
Japanese, Bizen, Muromachi period, active ca. 1440|Japanese, Edo period, 1744–1801