E1425

Hilt of tachi, Japanese Long Caption: Japanese tachi (Military fighting sword). The hilt of the tachi consists of two pieces of bamboo joined together longitudinally to form the grip. The bamboo grip is covered with black ray-skin, and is bound with two pieces of flat dark brown cotton tape, twisted about one another. The grip is secured to the tang 23mm from the ferrule (fuchi) at the top of the grip by a bamboo rod. Credit line: © National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London Object: WPN1359 Artist: unknown Date: 1834-1866 Medium: bamboo; ray-skin; cotton tape; gilt white metal; gilt copper; steel; copper; lacquered ray-skin Size: 718 mm x 32 mm Click here to buy a bespoke print of this image.