Sword Guard
Original Language TitleTsuba
CultureJapanese
DateEdo period (1615-1868)
MediumIron, copper alloy, and gilding
DimensionsOverall: 3 × 2 7/8 × 3/16 inches (7.62 × 7.3 × 0.48 cm)
Credit LineGift of Shirley Bush Helzberg
Object number2010.22.6
On View
Not on viewCollections
DescriptionThe tsuba (sword guard) has a slightly oval shape with a cone-shaped open for blade. The frontal is cast with low relief and incised chrysanthemums wreathing around the edge, while the rear side has two small clusters of the same flower. Their stamens are gilt. Tiny gold pins are randomly inset into both sides to highlight the design. The top of the blade open is inserted with a small portion of copper alloy. Two hitsuana, the elliptical opens that would have allowed the skewers (kogai in Japanese) to lie against the handle, are plugged with gilt copper in the patterns of small chrysanthemums. The rim is also decorated with floral patterns in gold inlays.
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please e-mail provenance@nelson-atkins.org.
late 17th-early 18th century
32-202/3 B
