FOUR JAPANESE WOOD BOKUTO (WOODEN SWORDS)

FOUR JAPANESE WOOD BOKUTO (WOODEN SWORDS)

EDO AND MEIJI PERIOD, 18TH AND 19TH CENTURY

Three shaped as dragons, the fourth a stylised whale with inlaid eyes; the largest mythical creature carved with a simulated saya (scabbard) with a ribbed surface and a fake kozuka handle, the eyes lacquered; all with holes for suspension, 55cm max. (4)

Provenance: the largest bokuto from the collection of French Japanophile Louis Gonse (1846-1921), by repute.

Bokuto were imitation swords worn by doctors, actors and travelling merchants in the 1700s and 1800s. Real swords could only be carried by samurai, and at night, it gave the impression of a real sword that would warn off potential attackers.