Tsuba
late 19th century
Classification
metalwork
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Bequest of George Cameron Stone
Accession Number
1936-4-413
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
This exquisite tsuba, crafted by the Japanese artist Isobe Isshu in the late 19th century, represents a refined example of traditional metalwork. A tsuba serves as the hand guard on a Japanese sword, protecting the wielder while offering a canvas for intricate decoration. Created during the Meiji era, this piece reflects a time when Japan balanced rapid modernization with the preservation of centuries-old artisanal traditions. As metalwork, the tsuba highlights the skill of Japanese craftsmen in shaping durable yet ornate functional objects. Such guards often featured symbolic motifs drawn fr...