Sword Guard (Tsuba)
Unknown Artist
ca. 1615–1868
Medium
Iron, copper
Dimensions
H. 3 7/16 in. (8.7 cm); W. 3 3/16 in. (8.1 cm); thickness 1/4 in. (0.6 cm); Wt. 5.5 oz. (155.9 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
19.154.101
Tags
Art Historical Context
This elegant **Sword Guard (Tsub)** hails from Japan's Edo period (ca. 1615–1868), a time of relative peace under the Tokug shogunate when samurai culture thrived. Crafted for katana or wakizashi, the tsuba served a practical purpose—shielding the wielder's hand from an opponent's blade—while doubling as a canvas for artistry. Made of iron with copper accents, it measures a compact 3 7/16 x 3 3/16 inches, weighing just 5.5 ounces, perfect for balancing a warrior's weapon. Artisans employed sophisticated metalworking techniques, such as forging iron for durability and inlaying or overlaying co...