Artwork Page for Sword Guard (Tsuba) with Dragon in Waves

Details / Information for Sword Guard (Tsuba) with Dragon in Waves

Sword Guard (Tsuba) with Dragon in Waves

c. 1615–1868

Japan, possibly Edo period

(1615-1868)
Medium
iron
Measurements
Diameter: 6.4 cm (2 1/2 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of D. Z. Norton 1919.388
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
Print
A circular iron sword guard features a central, tapered opening and a hole at the side. A raised rope pattern borders the dark, pitted surface. Carved in low relief, a scaled dragon winds across the surface through stylized, churning waves at the bottom. Patches of greenish oxidation mottle the brown metal. The central void is wide at its base, tapering toward the top, while the dragon's coiled form emerges from the textured iron.

Sword Guard (Tsuba) with Dragon in Waves

c. 1615–1868

Japan, possibly Edo period (1615-1868)

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