Sword Guard (Tsuba)
Unknown Artist
18th century
Medium
Lacquer (maki-e), wood, mother-of-pearl, coral, agate, ivory, tortoiseshell, pewter, copper
Dimensions
H. 3 7/8 in. (9.8 cm); W. 3 1/2 in. (8.9 cm); thickness 3/8 in. (1 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
Bequest of Edward G. Kennedy, 1932
Accession Number
33.40.2
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite 18th-century Japanese guard, or *tsuba*, served as the protective handguard on a samurai, blending functionality with stunning artistry. Crafted during the Edo period, a time of relative peace when martial arts evolved into refined cultural expressions, *tsuba* became coveted objects of personal style. Adorning katana or wakizashi blades, they showcased the wearer's taste and status, transforming weapons into wearable art. The *tsuba* gleams with masterful *maki-e* lacquer technique, where powdered gold or silver is sprinkled onto wet lacquer for a shimmering effect, then inlai...