Artwork preview

Sword Guard (Tsuba)

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Dark brown circular metal object with three central cut-outs: one elongated and teardrop-shaped in the center, flanked by two rounded shapes resembling kidneys. The perimeter features a pattern of short, thin gold lines angled inward, alternating with gold bow-like shapes pointing outward. A row of short, thin metal spikes encircles the central area, just inside the gold pattern.

Artwork Details

Date
18th century
Medium
Iron, brass, copper
Culture
Japanese
Dimensions
600 × 600 px
Public Domain
Yes
Museum Record
View original
Palette