Object number
4201.117.5
Title
Japanese Ito maki no tachi and scabbard
Description
A Japanese Ito maki no tachi and scabbard, presented to Lieutenant-General Sir J. B. Edwards when he escorted a Japanese prince around Britain in 1867 (see RE Journal 1923).
Sugata (configuration): shinogi-zukuri (longitudinal ridgeline) with small kissaki (blade tip), shallow tori-zori (even curvature), broad single hi (groove) on each side of the blade
Hamon (tempering pattern): gunome chōji (undulating pattern of small repeated irregular semi-circles with ‘clove bud’ peaks)
Nakago (tang): o-suriage (heavily shortened) with four mekugi-ana (peg holes) and signed with two characters Jumyo
Koshirae (mounting): wooden saya with gold lacquer finish decorated with the triple mitsu tomoe mon (triple comma family crest often associated with the Shimazu Clan), silvered habaki (blade collar), mokko tsuba (quatrefoil hand guard) decorated with mitsu tomoe mon in shakudō (copper/gold alloy) and gilded, ashi (suspension rings) and semegane (reinforcing rings) decorated with mitsu tomoe mon in shakudō and gilded in areas.
The upper area of the saya is wrapped in a pale beige silk braid over pale gold silk. Wooden tsuka (hilt) with fuchi and kabutogane (collar and pommel) of shakudō decorated with gilt mitsu tomoe mon. Pale beige itō (braiding) over pale silk, and menuki (hilt fittings) of three mitsu tomoe mon in shakudō and gilt. Purple and white sageo (tying cord).
There were many generations of swordsmiths who signed their blade with these same two characters. The blade could be as early as 1650 though evidently this fine quality blade has been remounted at least 3 times so it is possible that it could be even earlier than this date. The scabbard and fittings c.1750-1850.
The itō-maki no tachi (cord-wrapped slung sword) style, was worn with armour on horseback and on ceremonial occasions. The area of the lacquered scabbard between the two suspension fittings was wrapped in silk braiding which helps prevent damage to the expensive lacquer scabbard which would otherwise rub and abrade against armour. Silk braids are more easily replaced if damaged.
Shakudō is a Japanese alloy containing mainly gold and copper (typically 4–10% gold, 96–90% copper). After being worked to its final shape it is artificially patinated to form a dark, "raven black" patina with a silky gloss that resembles urushi lacquer work.
Date
1600 - 1850
Production period
17th century, 18th century
Material
Dimensions
- Length: Overall Length 785 mm
- Length: Blade 555 mm
- Width: mm
- Width: mm
- Width: Guard width 80 mm
- Length: Scabbard 645 mm