Tsuba
ca.1714 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
In Japan, the hand guard of a sword is called a tsuba. This one is iron and daigaku shaped. This shape represents the outline of the sacred kagami-mochi or that of our cottage loaf. The surface of the tsuba is covered with large Chinese characters which read "a sword which kills, a blade which gives life". Some of the characters are slightly raised. others in intaglio, and others again in sunk relief with a surface recalling deers' antlers. The tsuba also has De nuke ana, which are holes through which a cord is passed which retains the blade in a scabbard.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Iron with varying relief decoration |
| Brief description | Hand guard (tsuba) for a sword, iron with varying relief depicting Chinese characters reading a sword which kills, a blade which gives life, signed Yasuchika, perhaps made for Matsudaira Yorisade, ca. 1714, Japan. |
| Physical description | Hand guard (tsuba) for a sword, iron with varying relief of Chinese characters reading a sword which kills, a blade which gives life. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions | Iron relief characters reading a sword which kills, a blade which gives life. Signed Yasuchika |
| 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. Perhaps made for Lord Matsudaira Yorisada of Mito |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | In Japan, the hand guard of a sword is called a tsuba. This one is iron and daigaku shaped. This shape represents the outline of the sacred kagami-mochi or that of our cottage loaf. The surface of the tsuba is covered with large Chinese characters which read "a sword which kills, a blade which gives life". Some of the characters are slightly raised. others in intaglio, and others again in sunk relief with a surface recalling deers' antlers. The tsuba also has De nuke ana, which are holes through which a cord is passed which retains the blade in a scabbard. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.245-1911 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | February 16, 2009 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
