Short sword (wakizashi) blade and mounting
Place of OriginJapan
Dateapprox. 1500
PeriodMuromachi period (1392-1573)
MaterialsForged and tempered steel; Sharkskin, black lacquer; gold on bronze
DimensionsL. 28 in
Credit LineThe Avery Brundage Collection
Object numberB64W7
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
1757-1800
approx. 1875-1925
approx. 1893-1894
approx. 1850-1950
approx. 1750-1850
approx. 1877
perhaps 1925 - 1975