Artwork preview

Dagger (Tantō)

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Dagger (Tantō) by artist unknown. A short sword with a blade length of less than 30 cm, blade is curved with a convex edge and a straight or slightly convex back; the blade tapers to a point at the tip. The blade appears to have a kissaki, a curved, hamon. The tang at the base of the blade is flat and rectangular with two holes. The background is black.

Artwork details

Date:
blade, 15th century; mounting, 19th century
Medium:
Steel, wood, lacquer, silver, gold
Culture:
Japanese
Dimensions:
351 × 624 px
Museum record:
View original
Palette