![](https://www.horniman.ac.uk/media-collection/402/533/nn18572__001_DS.jpg)
![](https://www.horniman.ac.uk/media-collection/144/574/nn18572detail.jpg)
![](https://www.horniman.ac.uk/media-collection/144/573/nn18572.jpg)
Short sword, in a highly decorated carved sheath and mother of pearl dragons. May be a naginata blade (i.e. from a halberd) which has been remounted or may be naginata-naoshi. Blade probably late 18th or early 19th century. Not signed. Mounting post 1876. Sheath and scabbard probably made for sale to westerners in the form of a bokuto, the type of imitation sword in scabbard carried by a doctor. Sometimes they contained medicine, sometimes used as a club. Carving includes dragons darting through waves with ivory and mother-of pearl inlay. Length 26 1/2".
fighting