Long sword (katana) blade and mounting
Artist
Bishu Osafune Norimitsu
Japanese
Place of OriginJapan
DateApprox. 1500
PeriodMuromachi period (1392-1573)
Materialsforged and tempered steel blade; sharkskin with black lacquer; gold and bronze
DimensionsL. 36 in, L. 91.4 cm
Credit LineThe Avery Brundage Collection
Object numberB64W8
DepartmentJapanese Art
ClassificationsArms And Armament
On View
On viewLocation
Text Entries- Gallery Location Gallery 27
Samurai of the Edo period (1615–1868) wore two swords, called daisho, meaning “large and small.” These swords were thrust into a sash. This pair (B64W7 and B64W8) of a long and a short sword became the samurai’s symbol; to wear daisho was the samurai’s exclusive right and privilege.
Subject
- samurai
approx. 1500
approx. 1893-1894
1800-1900
1757-1800
1800-1900
approx. 1750-1850
approx. 1850-1950
approx. 1875-1925