Artwork Page for Sword Guard (Tsuba) with Dragonfly

Details / Information for Sword Guard (Tsuba) with Dragonfly

Sword Guard (Tsuba) with Dragonfly

c. 1615–1868

Japan, possibly Edo period

(1615–1868)
Medium
metal
Measurements
Average: 7 x 7.7 cm (2 3/4 x 3 1/16 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of D. Z. Norton 1919.422
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
Print
A tsuba, a circular metal sword guard, is a dark disc with a pitted, weathered surface. At the top, a dragonfly rests with spread wings detailed by thin gold accents. Three large cutouts define the center: a vertical wedge flanked by teardrop shapes. Three smaller gold-bordered openings punctuate the perimeter, including a clover-like shape on the upper right and two scalloped circles below, creating an ornate composition.

Sword Guard (Tsuba) with Dragonfly

c. 1615–1868

Japan, possibly Edo period (1615–1868)

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