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 weathered appearance. The object has a large central triangular hole and two oval holes on either side. The surface features a design of radiating lines and curved shapes resembling petals or leaves. The metal appears worn and scratched, with visible signs of aging. The background of the image is plain white. The object is symmetrical, with the design elements mirrored on either side of the central vertical axis. The edges of the circular object are smooth and rounded. The two oval holes are positioned on either side of the triangular hole, which is wider at the top than at the bottom. The design on the surface is raised, with the radiating lines and curved shapes protruding slightly from the surrounding metal.

Artwork Details

Date
ca. 1500
Medium
Iron, copper
Culture
Japanese
Dimensions
600 × 600 px
Public Domain
Yes
Museum Record
View original
Palette