Artwork preview

Sword Guard (Tsuba)

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Dark brown metal sword guard with a central oval-shaped hole, featuring two dragons. One dragon faces left with head at top and tail at bottom; the other faces right with head below the first dragon's tail. Dragons are adorned with gold and gray inlays. A metal pin protrudes from the right side. Rectangular recesses are on the left and right for attachment. The guard has a textured surface and rounded edges. The tsuba is by an unknown artist.

Artwork details

Date:
end of 17th century
Medium:
Silver, gold
Culture:
Japanese
Dimensions:
600 × 600 px
Museum record:
View original
Palette