Sword Guard (Tsuba)
Unknown Artist
ca. 1615–1868
Medium
Iron, silver, gold, copper
Dimensions
H. 3 in. (7.6 cm); W. 2 7/8 in. (7.3 cm); thickness 5/16 in. (0.8 cm); Wt. 4.5 oz. (127.6 g)
Classification
Sword Furniture-Tsuba
Culture
Japanese
Department
Arms and Armor
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
H. O. Havemeyer Collection, Bequest of Mrs. H. O. Havemeyer, 1929
Accession Number
29.100.963
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite **Sword Guard (Tsub)** hails from Japan's Edo period (ca.1615–1868), a time of relative peace when samurai culture flourished through refined artistry rather than battlefield prowess. As a vital component of the katana sword mount, the tsuba served a practical purpose—shielding the hand from an opponent's blade—while doubling as a canvas for personal expression. Crafted by an unknown master, it exemplifies the era's metalworking mastery, blending functionality with aesthetic splendor in the Arms and Armor tradition. Forged from iron and inlaid with shimmering silver, gold, and ...