Doctor’s Sword

Minko (signed by artist), c. 1750 - c. 1850

In Japan during the Edo period (1600-1868) only a select group of people were entitled to carry a sword. Doctors, for example, did not have that right. That is why as an indication of their status they wore a kind of small wooden blade, the design of which sometimes did not even remotely resemble a sword. This specimen, however, was carved with befitting details, with a serpentine dragon as the main motif.

  • Artwork typesword
  • Object numberAK-MAK-1779
  • Dimensionslength 51 cm x width 6 cm x thickness 3.8 cm

Identification

  • Title(s)

    • wooden sword
    • Doctor’s Sword

  • Object type

  • Object number

    AK-MAK-1779

  • Description

    Een houten zwaard (木刀, bokutō), ook wel bekend als 'dokterzwaard', vormgegeven als een zwaard met monturen en toebehoren, met gesneden versiering van een draak, wolken en bloemmotieven.

  • Inscriptions / marks

    signature: ‘眠乕’

Creation

  • Creation

    maker: Minko (signed by artist), Japan

  • Dating

    c. 1750 - c. 1850

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  • School / Style

Material and technique

  • Dimensions

    length 51 cm x width 6 cm x thickness 3.8 cm

Acquisition and rights

  • Credit line

    On loan from the Royal Asian Art Society in The Netherlands (gift J.J. Witsenburg)

  • Copyright

    Public domain

Documentation

  • Menno Fitski, 'Twee Japanse snijwerken. Een schenking van J.J. Witsenburg', Aziatische Kunst 50/3 (2020), pp. 63-68.

Persistent URL

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  • Doctor’s Sword
  • Doctor’s Sword