When was "Sword Guard (Tsuba)" created?

This artwork was created late 17th century.

What medium is "Sword Guard (Tsuba)"?

Sword Guard (Tsuba) is Iron, silver, copper.

Is "Sword Guard (Tsuba)" in the public domain?

Yes, Sword Guard (Tsuba) is in the public domain and available for free download under CC0 license.

Sword Guard (Tsuba)

Unknown Artist

late 17th century

Medium

Iron, silver, 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. 4.3 oz. (121.9 g)

Classification

Sword Furniture-Tsuba

Culture

Japanese

Department

Arms and Armor

Museum

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY

Credit

Gift of Mrs. Adrian H. Joline, 1914

Accession Number

14.60.44

Tags

Leaves

Art Historical Context

This exquisite **Sword Guard (Tsub)** from late 17th-century Japan exemplifies the masterful metalwork of the Edo period, when samurai sword fittings evolved from functional guards to stunning decorative arts. Crafted primarily from iron with inlays of silver and copper the tsuba served as a hand protector on a katana, preventing the hand from sliding onto the blade while showcasing the wearer's refined taste. Its compact dimensions—3 3/8 inches high 3 1/4 inches wide, weighing just 4.3 ounces—highlight the precision required in Japanese arms craftsmanship. The design, featuring delicate leaf...

Sword Guard (Tsuba)

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