tsuba (sword guard), unknown maker from Japan

Artwork Overview

tsuba (sword guard)
Edo period (1600–1868)
tsuba (sword guard) , Edo period (1600–1868)
Where object was made: Japan
Material/technique: iron
Credit line: William Bridges Thayer Memorial
Accession number: 1928.2397
Not on display

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Images

Label texts

Archive Label 2003:
This pair of head-to-tail carp, like the carp on the kozuka in this case, represents the virtue of perseverance. They artfully form a tsuba. A tsuba was fitted to a sword blade at the point where the sharpened edge begins as protection for the bearer’s hand.