Minneapolis Institute of Art

Tachi (sword)

Fukuoka Ichimonji Kagenori

Date

c. 1280

Medium

Steel, wood, lacquer, silk, cotton

Department

Asian Art

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

Sword manufacturing was introduced to Japan from the Asian mainland. The earliest known types of swords were straight and mostly 23 1/2 to 27 1/2 inches in length. They were made of bronze and used for stabbing as well as striking. Higher-ranking warriors on horseback carried tachi, swords that hung from the belt with the cutting edge facing down. This unaltered tachi is signed “Kagenori” and was therefore made by Fukuoka Ichimonji Kagenori (dates unknown) who was active around 1280. It has been rated by the Society for Preservation of Japanese Art Swords (NBTHK) as an “especially important” blade, the highest rank possible.

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