Blade for a Sword (<i>Katana</i>) with Mounting (<i>Shikomizue</i>) 1677 - 1900

Editor: We're looking at a "Blade for a Sword (Katana) with Mounting (Shikomizue)" by Yokoyama Kōzukedaijō Sukesada. It's from between 1677 and 1900. It seems deceptively simple at first glance; it looks like a cane, maybe? What stories does it have to tell, in your opinion? Curator: Well, it is deceptive. That is what is fascinating here, in terms of its role in society. It embodies the hidden aggression in societies that must publicly embrace peace. Who commissions something like this and why? Think about the socio-political implications of a sword disguised as something so harmless. Editor: It feels like a statement about power and control. A silent threat. How were these types of hidden weapons used and perceived in Japan? Curator: The *shikomizue*, or concealed blade, became relatively popular during the Edo period. It offered samurai and other members of the warrior class a means to carry a weapon discreetly in situations where open display of swords might have been restricted. It suggests periods of political repression, right? Times when freedom of expression, or freedom of movement, was curtailed, requiring more… creative solutions. Editor: So, the restrictions of the time period fueled the creation of this piece, an idea that carries through even today with political statements in art. Curator: Exactly. It represents a visual tension between decorum and the potential for violence. Were samurai expected to disarm publicly, how does something like this subvert this? Editor: It really puts a new perspective on this period of history! Thank you. Curator: It highlights how objects can be read as potent social and political commentary. I hadn’t thought about modern echoes so explicitly, thanks for bringing that up!