114
144
355
98
109
358
104
80
97
66
64
74
102
96
107
348
99
105
82
90
86
116
141
135
143
68
146
332
62
76
83
354
139
77
103
137
142
147
140
63
117
94
125
69
70
92
71
67
78
145
136
128
111
131
343
75
110
106
89
132
88
108
134
118
87
322
119
100
126
95
122
133
79
382
113
127
85
91
72
130
129
121
65
84
Tanto (1929.17.5)
JapanTanto from Japan, Asia. Collected by Robert Walter Campbell Shelford. Given to the Museum by Mrs. Shelford in 1929.
The tanto is a Japanese dagger, worn by samurai warriors as part of their military dress. It is capable of piercing armour due to its reinforced tip but was also used by samurai to commit seppuku (ritual suicide) in the event of capture or disgrace, in line with their strict moral code.
This example dates from the Edo period (17th to 19th centuries) and has a lacquered scabbard flecked with gold as well as a silver and purple silk cord for attaching it to a belt. Unlike Japanese swords, this type of tanto has no guard between the blade and the grip, enabling it to be worn close to the body.