Page 143 - (DK) Smithsinian - Military History: The Definitive Visual Guide to the Objects of Warfare

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Shinogi (ridge)
Menuki (ornamentation) in EAST ASIAN
the form of Shimazu heraldry
▶ TANTO A tanto was a sword or dagger with a
Date 1792 blade less than 12in (31cm) in length.
It was often worn as an alternative
Origin Japan
to a wakizashi. This example is black-
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Length 11 ⁄4in (28.5cm) lacquered, with the scabbard housing TANTO SW
a kogai on the outer face and a
kozuka at the rear. ORDS
Blade is a composite
of iron and steel
SCABBARD

KOGAI KOZUKA

Decoration probably
by Owari school
▶ TSUBA
Date 19th century
Origin Japan
Kissaki or point section Material Iron, gold
Diameter 2 ⁄4– 3in (6.5–7cm)
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Originally, tsuba (hand guards)
were relatively plain, becoming
more decorative later. The
example with a silhouetted goose
flying in front of the moon and
clouds (left) is enhanced with
gold overlay, while the tsuba
with a floral motif (right) is
Black lacquered wooden chiselled out of an iron plate.
saya (scabbard)

Signed by master
swordsmith Masayoshi

1
Blade more than 23 ⁄2in Kissaki or
(60.6cm) long point section
Lacquered wooden
saya (scabbard)

▼ JIAN Straight, double-edged swords were
Date 19th century used in China for over 2,500 years, and
were regarded as one of the four traditional
Origin China
weapons. The blades were made of hard
Weight 33 ⁄2oz (950g) steel, with a softer steel welded to each
1
1
Length 34 ⁄2in (88cm) side. Many had a medial ridge. Medial ridge