Artwork preview

Sword Guard (Tsuba)

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Dark brown, metallic sword guard with a rounded shape and wavy edges. Two elongated cutouts in center, one oval on left and one narrow and tapered on right. A relief on right side depicts a man wearing a hat, holding a staff. Four curved, flat protrusions extend from the edges. Small orange numbers at bottom. Gold accents throughout. Tsuba, by unknown artist.

Artwork details

Date:
late 17th century
Medium:
Iron, gold, silver, copper
Culture:
Japanese
Dimensions:
600 × 600 px
Museum record:
View original
Palette