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LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
Licence
Buy this image as a print
BuyLicense this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library
LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
Licence
Buy this image as a print
BuyLicense this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library
LicenseSymbolic wooden doctors sword in form of scabbard and handle
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Symbolic wooden doctors sword in form of scabbard and handle
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Symbolic wooden doctors sword in form of scabbard and handle
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Symbolic wooden doctors sword in form of scabbard and handle, decorated with carved dragon, red cord for suspension, Japanese, 1801-1900
‘Bokuto’ were imitation wooden swords. They were worn in Japan by doctors and merchants during the 1700s and 1800s. The swords are imitation because, at this time, only Samurai warriors could carry real swords. A bokuto was often worn at night. It gave the impression of a real sword to warn off potential attackers. This sword is made of wood and decorated with a carved dragon.
Details
- Category:
- Asian Medicine
- Collection:
- Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
- Object Number:
- A64323
- Materials:
- complete, wood (unidentified) and silk
- Measurements:
-
overall: 20 cm x 490 mm x 40 mm, .21kg
- type:
- ceremonial sword
