Arrow with Sound-Making Device ("Kabura")

六目鏑箭

At a glance — Art Object · Nara period, 8th century · held by Tokyo National Museum · designated Important Cultural Property of Japan.

Fact Sheet

Designation: Important Cultural Property (重要文化財)
Category: Art Objects
Period: Nara period, 8th century
Date: 701–800
Held by: Tokyo National Museum
Location: Ueno, Tokyo
Catalogue ID: cobas-117780

Find more

Same period: Nara art objects →
At this museum: All 1632 works here →

This type of arrow is called a kabura arrow, after the bulb (kabura) just below the large triangular arrowhead. The animal-horn bulb is perforated with six holes, and makes a loud sound when the arrow is fired. The arrow nock, which holds the arrow steady on the bowstring, was carved from an animal tooth. The bamboo shaft is coated with a thin layer of lacquer.

— Museum description: Tokyo National Museum (CC BY 4.0), via ColBase / Japan Search.

Record & Sources

Designation: Important Cultural Property (重要文化財), Government of Japan
Catalogue ID: cobas-117780 (permanent)
Official record: Japan Search — jpsearch.go.jp/item/cobas-117780
Holder's collection: ColBase — Tokyo National Museum
Photograph: Tokyo National Museum, via ColBase — CC BY 4.0. CC BY 4.0 licence

Cite this page: “Arrow with Sound-Making Device ("Kabura")（六目鏑箭）.” Treasures of Japan, catalogue no. cobas-117780. Tokyo National Museum. https://treasures.yamato-kenkou.com/treasures/arrow-with-sound-making-device-kabura/ — entry last verified 1 November 2026.

Full record data (as published in the official catalogue record)