Tsuba
early 19th century (made)
| Place of origin |
A tsuba is a hand guard for a sword. This example is made of shakudo, an alloy of copper and gold generally patinated to a rich black colour. It is oval and encrusted above with Fuji’s peak in silver with clouds in gold, copper and the copper-silver alloy shibuichi; and below with a bridge-post of shibuichi and shakudo hung with a light ishime surface, giving it a texture that resembles stone. The back is polished and modelled with a small flying crow.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | <i>shakudo</i> inlaid with gold, copper, silver and <i>shibuichi</i> |
| Brief description | Hand guard (tsuba) for a sword, shakudo (copper-gold alloy) inlaid with gold, copper, silver and shibuichi depicting Mount Fuji and a bridge post hung with New Year decorations, signed Shummei Hogen, early 19th century, Japan. |
| Physical description | Hand guard (tsuba) for a sword, shakudo (copper-gold alloy) inlaid with gold, copper, silver and shibuichi depicting Mount Fuji and a bridge post hung with New Year decorations. |
| Marks and inscriptions | Signed Shummei Hogen |
| Object history | Purchased from Yamanaka & Co. (127 New Bond Street, W.), accessioned in 1911. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Asia Department registers, as part of a 2022 provenance research project. |
| Subject depicted | |
| Place depicted | |
| Summary | A tsuba is a hand guard for a sword. This example is made of shakudo, an alloy of copper and gold generally patinated to a rich black colour. It is oval and encrusted above with Fuji’s peak in silver with clouds in gold, copper and the copper-silver alloy shibuichi; and below with a bridge-post of shibuichi and shakudo hung with a light ishime surface, giving it a texture that resembles stone. The back is polished and modelled with a small flying crow. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.287-1911 |
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| Record created | February 16, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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