Hand guard with Mount Fuji and pine trees
Yasuchika
ca. 1800 - ca. 1900
Medium
copper (metal)
Dimensions
6.2; 7
About this artwork
height 7 cm x width 6.2 cm
Art Historical Context
This exquisite hand guard, or *tsuba*, crafted by the skilled Japanese metalworker Yasuch around 1800–1900, exemplifies the artistry of Edo-period sword fittings. Made from copper—a durable yet malleable metal prized for its warm patina—the piece measures a compact 7 cm high by 6.2 cm wide, perfectly suited to protect the hand on a samurai katana. Yasuchika, part of a lineage of renowned Goto school artisans, specialized in such functional yet decorative objects, blending utility with aesthetic refinement. The design features Mount Fuji and pine trees, timeless symbols in Japanese culture. Mo...