Object Image

Blade and Mounting for a Double-Edged Dagger (Ken)

A ken is a straight, double-edged blade. The term also refers to a sword with such a blade.

Credit: H. O. Havemeyer Collection, Bequest of Mrs. H. O. Havemeyer, 1929

Blade, late 16th-early 17th century; mounting, 19th century
Steel,wood, lacquer, baleen, copper-gold alloy (shakudō), gold, silver, brass
43.2cm
29.100.1363a-d
Image and text © Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2019

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The Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Permanent collection