Artwork preview

Sword Guard (Tsuba)

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The tsuba has a dark brown color with a rounded square shape and a wavy edge. Two oval-shaped holes are present, one on the left and a larger one on the right with a curved gold piece at the top. The tsuba features a design with gold accents, including a branch with leaves on the top left and a dragon or snake on the right. The dragon or snake appears to be emerging from a hole or tunnel, and it has a gold and black striped pattern. The background of the tsuba has a subtle design resembling waves or clouds, with small gold dots scattered throughout.

Artwork details

Date:
ca. 1615–1868
Medium:
Iron, gold, copper
Culture:
Japanese
Dimensions:
600 × 600 px
Museum record:
View original
Palette