17th century
Japan
Object qualities
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Objectweapon: Sword guard (Tsuba)
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Type of arts & crafts
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MediumIron, brass
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SizeH. 3 3/8 in. (8.6 cm); W. 3 3/16 in. (8.1 cm); thickness 3/16 in. (0.5 cm); Wt. 5.6 oz. (158.8 g)
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Geography detailsCountry of Origin
Japan -
Country today
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Date17th century
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CultureJapanese
Source of information
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Type of sourceDatabase “Metropolitan Museum of Art”
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Fund that the source refers toMetropolitan Museum of Art
Description
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This Yoshirō style iron tsuba shows on both sides a brass inlay (shinchū-zōgan) of cherry blossoms embedded into arabesques. The arrangement of the design suggests that the two openings for scabbard accessories (hitsu-ana) are orignal and were not added later as it is so often the case. In addition, there is almost no loss of inlay and so this tsuba is in excellent condition.