富嶽雲烟図小柄 Knife Handle (<i>Kozuka</i>) with Blade

富嶽雲烟図小柄 Knife Handle (<i>Kozuka</i>) with Blade

嵐山常行画 Ranzan Tsuneyuki

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

An inscription on the reverse of the knife handle indicates that the artist Ranzan Tsuneyuki (嵐山常行) made this work for a client with the name Tanaka (田中). On the obverse, the surface is finished with small dots referred to as nanako, leaving a gilded bank of clouds and the snow-covered peak of Mount Fuji in relief. This kozuka and two more sword fittings in The Met’s collection are featured in the artist’s sketchbook titled Album of Designs for Metal Carving (acc. no. 36.120.699).

Arms and Armor

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

富嶽雲烟図小柄 Knife Handle (<i>Kozuka</i>) with Blade富嶽雲烟図小柄 Knife Handle (<i>Kozuka</i>) with Blade富嶽雲烟図小柄 Knife Handle (<i>Kozuka</i>) with Blade富嶽雲烟図小柄 Knife Handle (<i>Kozuka</i>) with Blade富嶽雲烟図小柄 Knife Handle (<i>Kozuka</i>) with Blade

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.