Sword Guard (Tsuba)
Unknown Artist
ca. 1615–1868
Medium
Iron, copper
Dimensions
H. 3 1/4 in. (8.3 cm); W. 3 in. (7.6 cm); thickness 3/16 in. (0.5 cm); Wt. 4.4 oz. (124.7 g)
Classification
Sword Furniture-Tsuba
Culture
Japanese
Department
Arms and Armor
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Bashford Dean, 1919
Accession Number
19.154.45
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite **Sword Guard (Tsuba)**, crafted in Japan during the Edo period (ca. 1615–1868), served as a vital component of the katana sword, protecting the wielder's hand while adding aesthetic flair. Though the artist remains unknown, tsuba from this era exemplify the pinnacle of Japanese metalworking artistry, transforming functional armor into miniature sculptures. Measuring just 3¼ inches high and wide, this iron piece inlaid with copper reflects the period's emphasis on refined craftsmanship amid relative peace, when samurai culture evolved from battlefield utility to symbols of statu...