Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-03-04
THEY sWoRE BY THE SWORD.
Legends of Japanesque Sentiment Intor
woven with Artistic side-Arms.

Legends of Japauesque Sentiment Intor-
woven with Artistic side-Arms.
The sword as a personal adornment,
worked out in the highest forms OF deco
ration, occupies q conspicuous niche IN the
annals of Japanese history.
1t was part and parcel Of the etiquette
of this polite nation, being distinguish
ing insignia of rank
With the wearing of the sword in Japan
is coupled much Of the poesy, romance,
and intrigue Of past centuries. The
Japanese lovers swore by their swords. 1t
was an implement of fashion with the men
of noble blood, as was the tan with the
high-bOrn women weapon Of cbquetry.
Only by governmental permission were
swords worn in Japan up TO within the last
fifty years, and the various types Of swords
in vogue represented imperial orders, sig
nificant of grade in rank or distinguishing
marks of royal esteem for services rem
derod Only the elect of the kingdom
were vouchsafed the right of sword-wear-
ing, and 1t was a punishable offence for
any offspring plebeian to adopt the side
arm, however great his wealth.
The prominence of Brayton Ives IN the
worlds of art, clubdom, and finance, ma
turally attracts the attention of "A large
body of cOnn0isseurs to the forth coming
sale of his collection of art objects. that
has been heretofore announced. Moreover,
it brings TO mind the interesting exhibit of
japanese art of April, 1899, in the Union
League Club. where for the first time was
shown a special groupe of antique and
modern swords of Japanese origin drawn
from MIR. Ives's collection, which is the
most complete of its kind extant.
There was in this choicely- gathered seq
ment Of the main collection q range of
beautiful and wondrously-w worked speci-
mems, extending from the small aud CO.
piously-carved and inlaid swords Of suicide
TO the curved examples utilized for har1-
kari. continuing IN size 20 the portentous
and Jewelled sabres of State, and culml-
mating in the huge and direful Smoker
snees of the headsman.
1t is a curious though truthful legend of
japanese sword-making that adaptness in
the various forms of fine artisanship de-
scended from father to son through gen.
erations. worker Of gold or an inlayer
OF metals would be descended through
hundreds Of years Of kindred craftsmen.
IL was a talent that seemed Unborn. and
the same sign has remained over a Japa-
nese Workshop OF this character for seye-
raj centuries.
ROYAL "FAKEs " IN ARTISTIC JAPAN.
That which is Of art c0associated'with the
| formalities of the times Is of especial in
i ItTtSL 10 l1t ultu VI ulEu Allb llltt may ll-
| dulge in the fads of eonnoisseurship their
wealth affords them. They plume them
selves rs students of the social ceremonies
| in so far as the practical later-day ameni-
| ties will permit holding at the same time
| the traditions Of gallantry aud courthness
IN marked esteem.
For these swords-every one of which
| has story aside from its beauty and anti.
| guilty to commend it-they viii naturally
| feel keen sympathy.
| Specimen blades of the fourteenth, ff.
| teenth, sixteenth. seventeenth. and eigh.
| teenth centuries will be shown in this rare
| collection, and close study of the artistic
| scabbards and sheaths III precious metal
lacquer. and wood Will be invited, and will
| fulsomely reward those who can appreciate
the objects for painstaking scrutiny.
The subtertuges resorted 10 by some OF
the decrepit old voluptuaries of the more
decorative epochs would put 70 blush the
mostadyanced notwithstanding fakir Of
the stage. lettering and bent with the ex
cesses of luxurious regime these aged
| eallants, who would not yield up their
| symbols of rank or glamour OF ensemble
found way TO keep up appearances q,
the researches of the sword collection
have disclosed.
Some of the more ponderous-lookins
weapons, bearing the most elaborate EN-,
bellishment, coupled with suggestion Of
ornate heayiness, and made OF wood OF
hollow metal, were worn By the aged gas
lanta OF the day, who, unable to supporI
the weight ct the diplomatic sido-arms