Ceremonial Arrowhead (<i>Yanone</i>) 17th century

This ceremonial arrowhead, or "yanone", was crafted by Umetada Yoshinobu, sometime between 1601 and 1700. It's wrought from iron, an industrial material transformed into a symbol of status. The arrowhead's form is striking. The metalwork is delicate, with openwork that frames a figure of Fudo Myoo, a Buddhist deity associated with protection. Note the contrast: a weapon of war rendered with the precision of a jeweler. It’s this very tension that gives the object its power. Yoshinobu was not just a blacksmith, but a highly skilled artist, working within traditions of metalworking and design. Pieces like this, made for the elite, blur the lines between craft and fine art. The labor involved in creating such an intricate piece speaks to the hierarchies of the time. It reminds us that even the simplest materials can be elevated through skillful making and imbued with cultural significance.