Tsuba
1595â1615
Classification
metalwork
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Bequest of George Cameron Stone
Accession Number
1936-4-30
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Welcome to the Smithsonian American Art Museum's showcase of exquisite Japanese metalwork. This *Tsuba*, crafted by the Heianjo-Zogan School around 1595–1615, is a masterful sword guard from Japan's late Momoyama period. Tsuba were essential components of samurai swords, protecting the hand while serving as miniature canvases for artistry. Bequeathed by George Cameron Stone, this piece exemplifies the era's blend of functionality and opulence, when swords symbolized status amid feudal Japan's shifting powers. The Heianjo-Zogan School, active in Kyoto's Heianjo district, pioneered *zogan*—a te...