Sword Guard (Tsuba)
Unknown Artist
ca. 1615–1868
Medium
Iron, copper
Dimensions
H. 3 1/16 in. (7.8 cm); W. 3 in. (7.6 cm); thickness 3/16 in. (0.5 cm); Wt. 2.8 oz. (79.4 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
19.154.61
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite *Sword Guard (Tsub)*, crafted in iron inlaid with copper, hails from Japan's Edo period (ca. 1615–1868), a time of relative peace when samurai swords evolved from battlefield weapons into symbols of status and artistry. Measuring just 3 inches across, the tsuba served as a protective hand guard on katana or wakizashi swords, preventing the hand from slipping onto the blade while adding balance and aesthetic appeal. Its compact form—barely thicker than a coin—highlights the Japanese mastery of metalwork, where functionality met intricate design. The openwork design features dyna...