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Ceremonial sword (kazari tachi) with hilt, sheath, and metal fittings

(Japanese, dates unknown)
18th century
Medium/TechniqueTempered steel; fittings of gold (sheath: gold aventurine, lacquer and inlaid mother of pearl)
Dimensions
Total: 100.5 cm; hlit: 21.5 cm; sheath 76.5 cm
Credit LineWilliam Sturgis Bigelow Collection
Accession number11.11228
On View
Not on view
ClassificationsArms and armor
Collections
ProvenanceBy 1911, purchased by William Sturgis Bigelow (b. 1850 - d. 1926), Boston [see note 1]; 1911, gift of Bigelow to the MFA. (Accession Date: August 3, 1911)

NOTES:
[1] Much of Bigelow's collection of Asian art was formed during his residence in Japan between 1882 and 1889, although he also made acquisitions in Europe and the United States. Bigelow deposited many of these objects at the MFA in 1890 before donating them to the Museum's collection at later dates.