The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of December 24, 2025

Sword Guard (Tsuba) with Fence and Flower

c. 1615–1868

Japan, possibly Edo period

(1615-1868)
iron
Diameter: 7 cm (2 3/4 in.)
Gift of J. H. Donahey 1915.91
Location: Not on view

Did You Know?

The signature could be that of Itō Masafusa, or added later by someone else as an attribution.

Description

An inscription on one side of this sword guard states that the maker went by the first name of Masafusa, and worked in the historical province of Musashi. This area includes modern Tokyo.
  • ?-1915
    James Harrison "Hal" Donahey [1875–1949], Cleveland, OH, given to the Cleveland Museum of Art
    1915-
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • Inaugural Exhibition. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (co-organizer) (June 6-September 20, 1916).
  • {{cite web|title=Sword Guard (Tsuba) with Fence and Flower|url=false|author=|year=c. 1615–1868|access-date=24 December 2025|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1915.91