Sword guard (tsuba) with design of Chinese lions at play
Artistprobably
Ishiguro school
(Japanese)
Dateapprox. 1800-1868
PeriodEdo period (1615-1868)
CultureJapanese
MaterialsCopper alloy with gold, copper alloy with silver and gold
DimensionsH. 6.9 cm x W. 6.35 cm; D. 0.4 cm seppa-dai; D. 0.3 cm rim
Credit LineTransfer from the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
Object numberB87W44
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
- lion
Nara Masanaga II
approx. 1700-1800
approx. 1700-1868
approx. 1800
1500-1600
approx. 1650-1660
approx. 1700-1800
approx. 1936
approx. 1850-1950
