Artwork preview

Sword Guard (Tsuba)

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The sword guard, called Tsuba, is circular with a dark brown patina. A teardrop-shaped hole is present in the center, with a small circular hole at the top. The hole has a gold-colored metal piece at the bottom. The circular area around the center hole features an embossed landscape scene with trees, buildings, and mountains. The background of the image is white. The Tsuba appears to be made of metal, likely steel or iron.

Artwork details

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