The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Blade and Mounting for a Short Sword (Wakizashi)

Fusamune of Soshu|Sōheishi Sōtensai

blade, late 15th–early 16th century; mounting, 18th century

Attribution

Blade attributed to|Sword guard (Tsuba) inscribed by Fusamune of Soshu|Sōheishi Sōtensai | Japanese, active ca. late 15th–early 16th century|Japanese, active 18th century

Medium

Steel, wood, lacquer, ray skin (samé), silk, copper-gold alloy (shakudō), gold, silver

Physical dimensions

L. 29 3/4 in. (75.7 cm); L. of blade 24 3/8 in. (62 cm); L. of cutting edge 19 5/8 in. (50 cm); D. of curvature 3/8 in. (0.9 cm)

Credit line

Gift of Etsuko O. Morris and John H. Morris Jr., in memory of Dr. Frederick M. Pedersen, 2007