Sword Guard (Tsuba)
Unknown Artist
ca. 1615–1868
Medium
Iron, copper
Dimensions
H. 3 3/8 in. (8.6 cm); W. 3 3/16 in. (8.1 cm); thickness 3/16 in. (0.5 cm); Wt. 5.4 oz. (153.1 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
19.154.81
Art Historical Context
This exquisite **Sword Guard (Tsuba)**, crafted by an unknown Japanese artist during the Edo period (ca. 1615–1868), exemplifies the fusion of functionality and artistry in samurai sword fittings. Positioned between the blade and hilt of a katana or wakizashi, the tsuba protected the wielder's hand while serving as a canvas for intricate designs. Measuring just 3 3/8 inches high and weighing 5.4 ounces, its compact iron form inlaid with copper highlights the precision of traditional metalworking techniques like nunome-zogan (gold or copper inlay hammered into etched iron). During Japan's Edo ...