金魚子地秋草図金具合口拵・付銀刀 Blade and Mounting for a Dagger (<i>Tantō</i>)

金魚子地秋草図金具合口拵・付銀刀 Blade and Mounting for a Dagger (<i>Tantō</i>)

宮田信清 Miyata Nobukiyo

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

This dagger (tantō) is one of the finest works by Miyata Nobukiyo (宮田信清, 1817–1884), who was born the son of a samurai in Kyōto, but was adopted into the family of a Shintō priest at the age of fifteen. One year after his adoption, he began an apprenticeship with the illustrious Gotō family of sword-fitting makers and established his own workshop in Edo (Tokyo) in 1843. Nobukiyo made the solid-gold fittings decorated with matching autumnal grasses in relief as well as the ceremonial silver blade.The latter is engraved on both sides with temple guardians (Niō) and lines from the Lotus Sutra.

Arms and Armor

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

金魚子地秋草図金具合口拵・付銀刀 Blade and Mounting for a Dagger (<i>Tantō</i>)金魚子地秋草図金具合口拵・付銀刀 Blade and Mounting for a Dagger (<i>Tantō</i>)金魚子地秋草図金具合口拵・付銀刀 Blade and Mounting for a Dagger (<i>Tantō</i>)金魚子地秋草図金具合口拵・付銀刀 Blade and Mounting for a Dagger (<i>Tantō</i>)金魚子地秋草図金具合口拵・付銀刀 Blade and Mounting for a Dagger (<i>Tantō</i>)

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.