Sword Guard (Tsuba)

Cleveland Museum of Art

The image shows a round sword guard, with a central oval-shaped hole and a decorative pattern. The guard is made of dark metal, possibly iron or steel, and has a weathered appearance. The central oval-shaped hole is surrounded by a decorative pattern featuring curved lines and shapes resembling leaves or flowers. The pattern is symmetrical, with identical designs on either side of the central hole. The metal is dark brown with a rough texture, suggesting age or wear. The background of the image is a gradient that transitions from dark gray at the top to light gray at the bottom.