Artwork preview

Sword Guard (Tsuba)

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Dark brown tsuba with oval shape. Central oval-shaped hole. Left side design depicts a creature with horns and a large mouth. Creature has yellow eyes and gold bracelets. Creature appears to be climbing. Right side design depicts a samurai with a sword. Samurai wears a hat and a long robe. Samurai's eyes are yellow. The tsuba has a weathered appearance with visible rust spots.

Artwork Details

Date
ca. 1615–1868
Medium
Iron, gold, copper
Culture
Japanese
Dimensions
600 × 600 px
Public Domain
Yes
Museum Record
View original
Palette