Sword Guard (Tsuba)
Unknown Artist
possibly 18th century
Medium
Iron
Dimensions
H. 3 1/8 in. (7.9 cm); W. 2 15/16 in. (7.5 cm); thickness 3/16 in. (0.5 cm); Wt. 4.4 oz. (124.7 g)
Classification
Sword Furniture-Tsuba
Culture
Japanese
Department
Arms and Armor
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Bashford Dean, 1919
Accession Number
19.154.15
Art Historical Context
This elegant iron tsuba, or sword guard, served as a vital component of the Japanese katana or wakizashi, shielding the wielder's hand while adding aesthetic flair to the weapon. Dating possibly to the 18th during Japan's Edo period, it exemplifies the fusion of functionality and artistry in samurai sword fittings. Tsuba were not mere armor but miniature sculptures, often pierced, hammered, or inlaid with motifs drawn from nature, mythology, daily life, reflecting the wearer's status and philosophical outlook. Crafted from sturdy iron, this example measures a compact 3 1/8 by 2 15/16 inches (...