Sword Guard (Tsuba)
Unknown Artist
ca. 1615–1868
Medium
Iron, copper
Dimensions
H. 3 1/4 in. (8.3 cm); W. 3 1/8 in. (7.9 cm); thickness 5/16 in. (0.8 cm); Wt. 4.2 oz. (119.1 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
19.154.32
Tags
Art Historical Context
This elegant **Sword Guard (Tsub)** hails from Japan during the Edo period (. 1615–1868), a time of relative peace when samurai culture flourished and sword fittings evolved into high art. As the hand guard on a katana or wakizashi the tsuba served a practical purpose—protecting the wielder's fingers—while showcasing the wearer's status and aesthetic sensibilities. Craft by an unknown artisan, compact form (3¼ x 3 inches) balances functionality intricate beauty, typical of Japanese sword furniture. Forged from iron with copper elements, this tsuba exemplifies masterful metalworking techniques...