Displaying Nihonto

[Wickstrom]

I took a trip to the Minneapolis Institute of Arts today and noticed that they had several nihonto on display unsheathed. Would it be acceptable to display the nagasa of a sword if it was inside of a climate and light controlled display case? Or would the blade still be prone?

[cabowen]

The display of sword blades is a modern, and mostly western, practice. Traditionally, sword blades were not displayed, for a number of reasons, some practical, some cultural. Short term, in a secured case in a secured room, there should be no problem. Not something I would recommend for any number of reasons but to each his own....

[Grey Doffin]

Hi Andrew,

Do you remember what the blades were? Mei or attribution?

Grey

[Brian]

Surely in a museum, especially one dedicated to art, you would expect the sword to be displayed unsheathed?

All the swords in the museums in Japan I saw were displayed out of the saya.

You say the display cases are light and climate controlled..so I really don't see a problem here. How else do you appreciate them?

 

Brian

[W K Clifford]

are these on permanent display? I am going to visit the twin cities in a few weeks. will be delighted to check out their collection.

[Wickstrom]

Hi Andrew,

Do you remember what the blades were? Mei or attribution?

Grey

 

 

There was a very beautiful kanbun katana with a choji hamon if I remember correctly, the light was quite dimmed so I could not make out very many details on it. Whoever set up the display was obviously not wearing gloves when they did. There is a huge fingerprint right on the shinogi line

 

The other was a pretty plain tanto, shin-shinto circa 1830's. It was signed, but I don't remember by who.

 

are these on permanent display? I am going to visit the twin cities in a few weeks. will be delighted to check out their collection.

 

 

Yes, I believe they are. Overall their Japanese collection is quite extensive, they currently house an O-yoroi that belonged to a daimyo during the Momoyama period. The curator of Japanese art had an appointment to look at some of our Japanese Textiles for an up-coming exhibit and told us they had spent over $1,000,000 on purchasing/restoration of the armor

[cabowen]

Surely in a museum, especially one dedicated to art, you would expect the sword to be displayed unsheathed?

All the swords in the museums in Japan I saw were displayed out of the saya.

You say the display cases are light and climate controlled..so I really don't see a problem here. How else do you appreciate them?

 

Brian

 

Please note I said "secured case, secured room"...I have no problem with museum displays-obviously, as you mention, it is a necessity for appreciation. My comments are directed to home display.....