Blade for a Double-Edged Sword (Ken)
The ken, a sword with a straight double-edged blade based on Chinese prototypes, was used in Japan from at least the third century until the sixth century. At the end of that period, the double-edged sword was gradually superseded by the single-edged type, from which all later Japanese swords developed. This ken was discovered in one of Japan’s most famous early burial mounds, known as the Eda Funayama kofun (burial mound), located in Kumamoto Prefecture, on Kyūshū Island, in southern Japan. The mound, which was excavated first in 1873, yielded many rare items, including jewelry, crowns, ceremonial shoes, armor parts, mirrors, and several swords, all of very high quality.
Swords of this period are extremely rare and show the earliest stage in the development of Japanese sword blades. This blade was given to The Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1906, as part of an exchange of art objects with the Imperial Museum in Tokyo that was arranged by Dr. Bashford Dean, who at the time was Honorary Curator of Arms and Armor in the Metropolitan Museum. In 1965, the remaining finds from the excavation were designated officially as National Treasures, the highest ranking given to cultural objects in Japan. They are now in the collection of the Tokyo National Museum.
Swords of this period are extremely rare and show the earliest stage in the development of Japanese sword blades. This blade was given to The Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1906, as part of an exchange of art objects with the Imperial Museum in Tokyo that was arranged by Dr. Bashford Dean, who at the time was Honorary Curator of Arms and Armor in the Metropolitan Museum. In 1965, the remaining finds from the excavation were designated officially as National Treasures, the highest ranking given to cultural objects in Japan. They are now in the collection of the Tokyo National Museum.
Artwork Details
- Title: Blade for a Double-Edged Sword (Ken)
- Date: 5th century
- Geography: Kumamoto Prefecture
- Culture: Japanese
- Medium: Steel
- Dimensions: L. 23 15/32 in. (59.6 cm); W. 1 17/32 in. (3.9 cm); thickness 15/64 in. (0.6 cm); Wt. 12.6 oz. (356 g)
- Classification: Swords
- Credit Line: Gift of Bashford Dean, by exchange, 1906
- Object Number: 06.310.8
- Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor
Audio
4422. Straight, Double-edged Sword Blade (Ken)
0:00
0:00
We're sorry, the transcript for this audio track is not available at this time. Please email info@metmuseum.org to request a transcript for this track.
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Japanese
late 14th century
Omori Hidenaga
18th century
Miyairi Norihiro
2013
Iyonojō Munetsugu
early–mid-17th century
Multiple artists/makers
sword (katana) blade, dated 1440; short sword (wakizashi) blade, 15th century; mountings, late 18th century
Related Content
Publications
Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.
Free to download
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.