Sword guard with design of dragons, sacred jewel, and peonies
Place of OriginJapan
Dateapprox. 1700-1868
PeriodEdo period (1615-1868)
CultureJapanese
MaterialsCopper alloy with tin and zinc, and gold
DimensionsH. 7.2 cm x W. 7.0 cm; D. 0.5 cm seppa-dai; D. 0.65 cm rim
Credit LineTransfer from the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
Object numberB87W11
DepartmentJapanese Art
ClassificationsArms And Armament
On View
On viewLocationGallery 27
More InformationSword Guards
Sword guards (tsuba) attached to the sword hilt and the top of the blade prevent the hand from slipping onto the blade during thrusts. During the prolonged peace of the Edo period (1615–1868), the emphasis in tsuba making shifted from protection to elaborate decoration. Over time, metalworkers developed special carving and inlay techniques for a wide array of designs, from simple family crests to detailed pictures of legendary warriors. Tsuba were often made as part of sets of matching sword fittings, which could be mounted with blades of various types and dates.
Subject
- dragon
- peony
- ball
Nara Masanaga II
approx. 1700-1800
approx. 1936
approx. 1800
1500-1600
approx. 1650-1660
1836
