【National Treasure】
Ancient Divine Treasure, Property of the Primary Deity
Tachi Sword with Rosewood Scabbard and Mother-of-Pearl Inlay
According to tradition, this sword was a gift from the imperial regent Fujiwara no Tadazane (1078–1162) to his son Tadamichi (1097–1164). The sword’s ornamentation reflects the status and power of the Fujiwara family, who greatly contributed to the founding of Kasugataisha Shrine.
The rosewood scabbard is decorated with intricate scrollwork in mother-of-pearl, and the gold mounts were once set with precious stones. The pommel is adorned with a large piece of quartz.
A parrot is inlaid in mother-of-pearl between the metal fittings on each side of the scabbard. Parrots are not native to Japan, but they were known through decorative motifs on items that arrived via the Silk Road. Being rare and exotic, parrots were a favored decoration for the swords of high-ranking court officials.
This sword is the sole known example of a Heian-period (794–1185) tachi dress sword that uses rosewood.
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。