sword (ceremonial weapon); sheath (ceremonial weapon)

General view of whole of Horniman Museum object no 99.178
General view of whole of Horniman Museum object no 99.178
General view of label of Horniman Museum object no 99.178
General view of label of Horniman Museum object no 99.178
General view of whole of Horniman Museum object no 99.178 General view of whole of Horniman Museum object no 99.178 General view of label of Horniman Museum object no 99.178 General view of label of Horniman Museum object no 99.178

Japanese ceremonial sword which curves slightly, with an ivory hilt, an ivory sheath, and a pink and beige textile cord. The ivory has been carved all over with scenes of people and landscapes, and with bands of geometric designs. There is a blue-grey rectangular label with the object, which reads ' Removed from Library. 15th / 12th / 1950'.

Your sword is quite similar in many ways to one in our collection: http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O92912/sword-and-scabbard-muneaki/ Yours also dates to around the same period I think. Although the blade fits oddly into the hilt - and is coverered in 'gunk' (possibly removable) its shape might just indicate an earlier blade, but unless we can get the hilt off (not always easy on these types of mounting - is there one peg holding it in place?) and clean it up to reveal forging and tempering details there is no real way of telling.

fighting

object
MUSEUM NUMBER
99.178
PLACE
COLLECTION
MEASUREMENTS
overall: 1425 mm x 125 mm x 104 mm
MATERIAL/TECHNIQUE
ivory; metal; copper alloy; wood; textile; cotton; silk
CATEGORY
Anthropology: Ethnography
LOCATION
In storage
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Collection Information

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