Umetada Motoshige
Ceremonial arrowheads (Yanonē) (detail), c. 1645
Japan
Large arrowheads, pierced and elaborately chiseled with landscapes, birds, flowers, dragons, and Buddhist divinities, were created to be admired for the beauty of their metalwork and design rather than for use in archery. This arrowhead is dated 1645 and signed by [Edo period smith] Umetada Motoshige, a member of the Umetada school of swordsmiths, tsuba makers, and iron chiselers.