Sword Guard (Tsuba) with Zhong Kui (Shōki) the Demon Queller

Cleveland Museum of Art

Round, flat, dark metal object with a raised design. The object has a thick, circular border. Inside the border, two figures and a central oval shape with curved extensions on either side. The central shape resembles a handle. The figure on the left appears to be male, with a large headpiece or headdress on his head and a long beard. He wears a short, pleated or folded garment. His left leg is forward, and his right leg is back. The figure on the left holds a long sword in his right hand. The figure on the right is smaller, has a large headpiece or headdress on his head, and wears a short, pleated or folded garment. His right leg is forward, and his left leg is back. The background is dark gray, and the object appears to be against a plain backdrop.