Sword Guard (Tsuba)
Unknown Artist
ca. 1615–1868
Medium
Iron, silver, copper
Dimensions
H. 3 1/8 in. (7.9 cm); W. 3 1/16 in. (7.8 cm); thickness 1/8 in. (0.3 cm); Wt. 3.8 oz. (107.7 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
19.154.50
Art Historical Context
This exquisite *Sword Guard (Tsuba)* hails from Japan's Edo period (ca. 1615–1868), a time of relative peace under the Tokugawa shogunate when samurai culture flourished. As a key component of the katana sword mountings, the tsuba served a practical purpose: protecting the hand from an opponent's blade during combat. Yet, it was far more than utilitarian—tsuba evolved into coveted art objects, showcasing the wearer's taste and status. Crafted from iron inlaid with silver and copper, this tsuba exemplifies masterful Japanese metalworking techniques. The iron was likely pierced and hammered int...