Artwork preview

Sword Guard (Tsuba)

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The sword guard (Tsuba) has a dark brown color. It is circular in shape with a scalloped edge. A symmetrical design features two oval-shaped holes on either side of a central vertical slit. The surface appears weathered with visible scratches and marks. Small gold flecks are scattered on the lower right side. The background is plain white.

Artwork details

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