ca. 1615-1868
Japan
Object qualities
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Objectweapon: Sword guard (Tsuba)
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Type of arts & crafts
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MediumIron, gold, copper, copper-gold alloy (shakudЕЌ)
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SizeH. 3 3/16 in. (8.1 cm); W. 3 1/8 in. (7.9 cm); thickness 3/16 in. (0.5 cm); Wt. 4.4 oz. (124.7 g)
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Geography detailsCountry of Origin
Japan -
Country today
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Dateca. 1615-1868
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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 tsuba shows an openwork (nikubori ji-sukashi) of six butterflies which are arranged circumferentially around the center, and in an alternating manner of one butterfly facing upwards and the next downwards. The eyes are highlighted in gold and the rim is decorated with a slightly different pattern on each lobe.
