Okayoshi Kunimune Meteorite Sword
1898
The Meteorite Sword is a Japanese sword made from an iron meteorite. This long sword is one of five blades―two long and three short―made by swordsmith Okayoshi Kunimune at the request of Enomoto Takeaki (1836-1908), statesman and founder of Tokyo University of Agriculture. The meteorite used as the material was first discovered by a resident of what is now Kamiichi-machi, Nakaniikawa District in Toyama Prefecture, but the finder did not realize that was meteorite and used it as a weight stone for pickles for several years. Records show that the making of the blade was extremely difficult, taking three weeks of arduous work by the swordsmith and trips to Hikawa Shrine for prayers before finally being completed. The other long sword made by Okayoshi was presented as a gift to then Crown Prince Yoshihito, who would later become the Taisho emperor.
Okayoshi Kunimune Meteorite Sword
1898 / Meteoric iron / 68.6 cm (length), 1.5 cm (curvature) / Collection: Tokyo University of Agriculture Library / Photo: Kioku Keizo
■Relevant Information
・The Universe and Art: Princess Kaguya, Leonardo da Vinci, teamLab
July 30, 2016 - January 9, 2017
・MAM Screen 004: Watching the Earth from the Universe
July 30, 2016 - January 9, 2017
・Welcome to “the portal to the universe”!
―“The Universe and Art” work #1: teamLab
―“The Universe and Art” work #2: Meteorite Sword
―“The Universe and Art” work #3: Patricia Piccinini
―“The Universe and Art” work #4: Utsuro-bune (hollow ship)
―“The Universe and Art” work #5: Mori Mariko
―“The Universe and Art” work #6: Mandalas
―“The Universe and Art” work #7: Tom Sachs
―“The Universe and Art” work #8: Semiconductor
―“The Universe and Art” work #9: Galileo Galilei Sidereus Nuncius
―“The Universe and Art” work #10: Björn Dahlem
―“The Universe and Art” work #11: Jules de Balincourt
