Accession Number
1973/2.85

Title
Sword (13th century) and scabbard (18th century) with design of samurai writing a poem under cherry tree

Artist(s)
Kagemitsu

Object Creation Date
1299-1301

Medium & Support
forged steel blade with wooden handle and scabbard

Dimensions
38 9/16 in. x 1 11/16 in. x 1 3/8 in. ( 98 cm x 4.3 cm x 3.5 cm )

Credit Line
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Frederic R. Smith

Subject matter
Long swords (tachi) were the most important belongings for samurai, almost as equal to their lives; as many tragic stories attest, samurai could commit suicide when his sword was taken, stolen, or lost.

Physical Description
The sword is long and slightly curved; the metal smith's name is engraved on the metal handle.

Primary Object Classification
Arms and Armor

Primary Object Type
sword

Additional Object Classification(s)
Metalwork

Collection Area
Asian

Rights
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Keywords
hilts
poems
samurai
scabbards