Artwork preview

Sword Guard (Tsuba)

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Sword Guard (Tsuba) is a circular metal object with a dark brown color and a textured surface. The object has a central elongated oval-shaped hole, oriented vertically, with a narrower top and a wider bottom. Two symmetrical curved designs extend from the central hole, resembling rounded leaves or petals. The curved designs are made up of multiple rounded shapes, with some featuring rounded protrusions. At the top of the object, there are two floral-like designs, each consisting of several teardrop-shaped petals. The background of the image is a plain light gray color. The overall design of the Sword Guard (Tsuba) features a mix of curved lines and rounded shapes, creating a decorative and intricate pattern.

Artwork details

Date:
18th century
Medium:
Iron, copper
Culture:
Japanese
Dimensions:
600 × 600 px
Museum record:
View original
Palette