Sword Guard (Tsuba)

Cleveland Museum of Art

The Sword Guard (Tsuba) is a circular metal object with a predominantly dark brown color and visible signs of aging and wear. The object features a central oval-shaped cutout. The circular shape is formed by curved lines that extend outward from the center, resembling a flower or a fan. The object is decorated with a design of curved lines and shapes, including leaves and stems. The design elements are symmetrical, with similar patterns on either side of the central cutout. The background of the image is a gradient that transitions from dark gray at the top to light gray at the bottom.