Sword Guard (Tsuba)

Cleveland Museum of Art

The image shows a circular, dark brown metal object with a scalloped edge. The object appears to be made of iron or steel and has a rough, textured surface. It features three large holes in the center, one long and narrow vertical hole flanked by two larger, more rounded holes. The surface is adorned with several smaller, irregularly shaped cutouts around the perimeter. A decorative design resembling waves or clouds is carved into the metal around the holes. The object is a Sword Guard, also known as a Tsuba, created by an unknown artist.