Tsuba
mid- 19th century
Medium
metalwork
Classification
metalwork
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Bequest of George Cameron Stone
Accession Number
1936-4-847
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
**Tsuba by Tenkōdō Hidekuni** ed by the skilled Japanese metalworker Tenkōdō Hidekuni (1825–1891) from Kawayashi during Japan's mid-19th century period, this *tsuba*—a handguard for a samurai sword—exemplifies the exquisite metalwork traditions of the era. Hidekuni, active in a time of artistic refinement just before the Meiji Restoration, specialized in these functional yet decorative fittings that protected the wielder's hand while adorning the katana or wakizashi. Tsuba were more than mere armor; they were miniature canvases for storytelling, often featuring motifs from nature, mythology,...