グリ彫金具脇指拵 Blade and Mounting for a Short Sword (<i>Wakizashi</i>)

尾張関 Owari-Seki

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

This mounting is distinguished by its fittings made of multiple alternating layers of copper-gold alloy (shakudō) and dark red copper (hiirodō), which are carved in a spiral manner to reveal the layers. This technique, referred to as guribori, has its roots in lacquerwork. Swords mounted with a matching set of guribori fittings are rare. Covering the scabbard is a type of ray skin whose nodules resemble plum blossoms (Japanese: kairagi). It has been lacquered black and then polished to reveal parts of its texture. The blade is unsigned, but can be attributed to an Owari-Seki (尾張関) swordsmith from the early Edo period (17th century).

Arms and Armor

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The principal goals of the Arms and Armor Department are to collect, preserve, research, publish, and exhibit distinguished examples representing the art of the armorer, swordsmith, and gunmaker. Arms and armor have been a vital part of virtually all cultures for thousands of years, pivotal not only in conquest and defense, but also in court pageantry and ceremonial events. Throughout time the best armor and weapons have represented the highest artistic and technical capabilities of the society and period in which they were made, forming a unique aspect of both art history and material culture.

Metropolitan Museum of Art