We don’t have an image of this object online yet. V&A Images may have a photograph that we can’t show online, but it may be possible to supply one to you. Email us at vaimages@vam.ac.uk for guidance about fees and timescales, quoting the accession number: M.190-1914
Find out about our images

Not currently on display at the V&A

Tsuba

ca.1550-1600 (made)
Place of origin
Japan (made)

This hand guard for a sword is called a tsuba in Japan. It is made of iron and has been fret-pierced without modelling with a design of two iris plants covered in dewdrops.

It is of a Kyo-sukashi type, dating from about 1550-1600.


Object details

Category
Arms & Armour
Object type
Tsuba
Materials and techniques
iron, fret-pierced
Iron
Piercing
Brief description
Hand guard (tsuba) for a sword, iron, fret-pierced depicting irises and dewdrops, Kyo-sukashi type, Japan, ca. 1550-1600.
Physical description
Hand guard (tsuba) for a sword, iron, fret-pierced depicting irises and dewdrops.
Dimensions
  • Approx. length: 8.56cm
  • Approx. width: 8.31cm
Style
<I>kyo-Sukashi</I> Style
Subjects depicted
Iris
Flowers
Summary
This hand guard for a sword is called a tsuba in Japan. It is made of iron and has been fret-pierced without modelling with a design of two iris plants covered in dewdrops.

It is of a Kyo-sukashi type, dating from about 1550-1600.
Collection
East Asia Collection
Accession number
M.190-1914

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 Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis.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

Record createdFebruary 16, 2009
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O187986/tsuba/
Download as: JSON