Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Kozuka with a Ceremonial Sword and Compass
(Japanese Military Armor)
In the center of the kozuka is a ceremonial two bladed sword called a "ken." The handle is a "vajra," which was originally a weapon and ritual object in India. It was incorporated into Buddhist rituals. At the end is a functioning compass. The four central characters indicate the four directions, with north at the bottom. The twelve surrounding characters are the animals of the Chinese zodiac, who were also assigned to directions and times.
Inscription
Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object. Learn more about provenance at the Walters.
Henry Walters, Baltimore [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.
Geographies
Japan (Place of Origin)
Measurements
3 3/4 in. (9.6 cm) (l.)
Credit Line
Acquired by Henry Walters
Location in Museum
Not on view
Accession Number
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
51.812