Artwork preview

Knife Handle (Kozuka) with Blade

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Black handle with gold designs, made of wood or similar material, with a small metal blade. The handle is rectangular and flat with rounded edges, and the gold designs appear to be leaves or vines. The blade is thin and narrow, made of metal with visible signs of aging or wear, and appears to be attached to the handle. The background is a light gray color, providing contrast to the darker handle and blade. The overall design suggests a traditional Japanese knife handle, known as a Kozuka.

Artwork details

Date:
18th century
Medium:
Copper, gold, copper-gold alloy (shakudō), steel
Culture:
Japanese
Dimensions:
599 × 337 px
Museum record:
View original
Palette