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For samurai, a sword was more than a weapon: it was an extension of the soul. Samurai usually carry two swords that form a set called daisho (meaning “big and small”), consisting of a katana (which means “long sword”) and wakizashi (which means “side arm”)—an example of each is displayed in this case. This long sword is decorated with numerous plover birds flying over waves. Plovers are usually depicted flying over high waves and braving strong winds, as they are symbols of strength and perseverance in Japanese art and culture.
Page data
- Page
- 5
- Source index
- 0
- Type
- photo
- Media ID
- 0910d3631a07152a
- Size
- unknown
Document data
- ID
- 14780
- Core
- obj
- Type
- object
DTO data
{
"id": "14780",
"sourceUrl": "https://purl.thewalters.org/art/51.1212",
"contentType": "object",
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"title": "Long Sword (katana) with Plovers Flying over Waves",
"description": "For samurai, a sword was more than a weapon: it was an extension of the soul. Samurai usually carry two swords that form a set called daisho (meaning “big and small”), consisting of a katana (which means “long sword”) and wakizashi (which means “side arm”)—an example of each is displayed in this case.\tThis long sword is decorated with numerous plover birds flying over waves. Plovers are usually depicted flying over high waves and braving strong winds, as they are symbols of strength and perseverance in Japanese art and culture.",
"date": "16th-17th century (Edo period)",
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"kogai",
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],
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],
"dimensionsRaw": "Mounted katana, overall L: 36 × W: 2 15/16 × D: 2 3/4 in. (91.5 × 7.5 × 7 cm)"
}
Context sent to Scholar
Document identity
{
"localId": "14780",
"label": "Long Sword (katana) with Plovers Flying over Waves",
"core": "obj",
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"citationUrl": "https://purl.thewalters.org/art/51.1212"
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Document source metadata
{
"id": "14780",
"sourceUrl": "https://purl.thewalters.org/art/51.1212",
"contentType": "object",
"stage": "normalized",
"title": "Long Sword (katana) with Plovers Flying over Waves",
"description": "For samurai, a sword was more than a weapon: it was an extension of the soul. Samurai usually carry two swords that form a set called daisho (meaning “big and small”), consisting of a katana (which means “long sword”) and wakizashi (which means “side arm”)—an example of each is displayed in this case.\tThis long sword is decorated with numerous plover birds flying over waves. Plovers are usually depicted flying over high waves and braving strong winds, as they are symbols of strength and perseverance in Japanese art and culture.",
"date": "16th-17th century (Edo period)",
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],
"iiifBase": "https://art.thewalters.org/images/art/PS1_51.1212_DetA_DD_T12.jpg",
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"dimensionsRaw": "Mounted katana, overall L: 36 × W: 2 15/16 × D: 2 3/4 in. (91.5 × 7.5 × 7 cm)"
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Document source extras
{
"cul": "Japanese",
"inscriptions": [
"[Signature] Yoshimichi or Munemichi; [Transcription] Hoki (no) kami Fujiwara Nobutaka; [Translation] Nobutaka",
"of the Fujiwara clan",
"Lord of Hoki province"
],
"dynasty": "Edo period",
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"24901",
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],
"med": "Steel, gold, silver, gold-copper alloy (shakudo), silk, wood",
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Page context
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