Sword Guard (Tsuba)
Unknown Artist
ca. 1615–1868
Medium
Iron, copper
Dimensions
H. 3 3/8 in. (8.6 cm); W. 3 1/4 in. (8.3 cm); thickness 3/16 in. (0.5 cm); Wt. 5.5 oz. (155.9 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
19.154.60
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite *tsuba*, or sword guard, hails from Japan's Edo period (ca. 1615–1868), a time of relative peace when samurai culture emphasized artistry over warfare. Crafted from iron with copper accents, served a practical purpose: protecting the hand wielding a katana while doubling as a canvas for personal expression. Measuring just 3⅜ inches high, its compact form belies the skill required to forge such functional beauty, weighing a substantial 5.5 ounces for balance on the blade. The design features delicate motifs of geese and boats, likely rendered through piercing and inlay technique...