Ancient Divine Treasure, Property of the Wakamiya Deity
Silver-Banded Tachi Sword with Kenukigata-Style Mounting
According to tradition, this ornate tachi sword belonged to Fujiwara no Yorinaga (1120–1156). The Fujiwara family were leading members of the imperial court, and Yorinaga was the son of the imperial regent Fujiwara no Tadazane (1078–1162). It is unknown when exactly the sword entered Yorinaga’s possession, but he is reported to have carried it while escorting an imperial procession in 1131.
This sword’s most distinctive feature is the strip of gold and silver inlay on its rosewood scabbard. A scene of plovers and bamboo grass is carved into the silver and brushed with black lacquer to highlight the delicate chisel work. These motifs and decorative techniques are shared by the Flat Quiver Made of Silver-Plated Rosewood, another sacred treasure of Wakamiya Shrine. The similarities suggest the sword and quiver formed a set with the Bow with Design of Plovers and Cranes with Pine Boughs.
Imperial palace guards typically carried a sword, bow, and quiver as part of their uniform. Yorinaga served as a high-ranking member of the palace guards, so it would have been appropriate for him to own such a set. The swords worn by the palace guards typically had a slit along the length of the hilt and were called kenukigata because the shape of the mounting resembled tweezers (kenuki).
この英語解説文は観光庁の地域観光資源の多言語解説整備支援事業で作成しました。