Tsuba
CultureJapanese
DateEdo period (1615-1868)
MediumIron, brass, and silver
DimensionsOverall: 3 1/4 × 2 7/8 × 1/8 inches (8.26 × 7.3 × 0.32 cm)
Credit LineGift of Shirley Bush Helzberg
Object number2010.22.4
On View
Not on viewCollections
DescriptionThe tsuba (sword hand guard) has an oval silhouette, a cone-shaped open in the center to insert the blade, and a raised outer rim. It is decorated with piecework of two birds flying toward the blade open and cloud shapes across from it. Inset pins of brass and silver randomly spread over the surface. The rim is engraved with shallow cross-hatched lines. Overall it has a rugged appearance in dark brown.
Information about a particular artwork or image, including provenance information,
is based upon historic information and may not be currently accurate or complete.
Research on artwork and images is an ongoing process, and the information about a
particular artwork or image may not reflect the most current information available to the Museum.
If you notice a mistake or have additional information about a particular artwork or image,
please e-mail provenance@nelson-atkins.org.
late 17th-early 18th century
32-202/3 B
