Sword Guard (Tsuba)
Unknown Artist
19th century
Medium
Copper-gold alloy (shakudō), gold, copper, bronze
Dimensions
H. 3 1/8 in. (7.9 cm); W. 2 15/16 in. (7.5 cm); thickness 5/16 in. (0.8 cm); Wt. 6.3 oz. (178.6 g)
Classification
Sword Furniture-Tsuba
Culture
Japanese
Department
Arms and Armor
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Mrs. Adrian H. Joline, 1914
Accession Number
14.60.79
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite **Sword Guard (Tsub)** from 19th-century Japan exemplifies the masterful metalwork of samurai sword fittings. Crafted from shakudō—a copper-gold alloy prized for its deep, velvety black patina chemically treated—along with inlays of gold, copper, and bronze, it measures a compact 3 1/8 by 2 15/16 inches. As part of a katana's hilt assembly, the tsuba served both a practical purpose, shielding the hand from an opponent's blade, and an artistic one, showcasing the wearer's status and taste. The design likely features dynamic horses, a motif symbolizing speed, power, and nobility ...