Marc Newson’s Aikuchi swords

BEWITCHING BLADE

The Japanese term ‘aikuchi’ is used to describe a type of sword-mounting where the handle and scabbard meet without a guard in between, creating one smooth, seamless curve. It’s also the name of Marc Newson’s latest art project – a series of 10 swords made in collaboration with craftsmen from Japan’s Tohoku area.

Commissioned by Tokyo-based studio Wow, Newson’s Aikuchi swords (US$300,000, RM1.32 million) are the result of a laborious process. Japanese craftsmen customarily spend their lifetime mastering a single craft, so Newson had to work with several of them – each skilled in lacquerware, woodwork, blade-making and so on.

Each set includes a long sword and shorter dagger that can be presented on a wooden stand. The swords’ scabbards are beautifully detailed with a gold, orange and grey pattern, with the handle grips covered in pearlescent bumps instead of the traditional braided leather.

WOW