A JAPANESE WHALE CHATŌ (WOODEN SWORD)

A JAPANESE WHALE CHATŌ (WOODEN SWORD)
EDO/MEIJI, 18TH/19TH CENTURY

Carved as a stylised whale, with folds to the side representing the ventral pleats; the hardwood with a lustrous surface, and with a hole for suspension, 49.5cm.

Chatō 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.