Sword Guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) Depicting Bamboo Vase for <i>Ikebana</i> and Plum Branch

Sword Guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) Depicting Bamboo Vase for <i>Ikebana</i> and Plum Branch

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

This Bushū (武州) School tsuba shows a three-dimensionally (nikubori) interpreted openwork (ji-sukashi) of centrally a large bamboo vase with an ikebana-style arrangement of a plum branch holding two blossoms. The plum represents spring but combined with bamboo in the form of a bamboo vase, it is possible that the motif is an allusion to the subject of the Four Nobles Ones (shikunshi, 四君子), a collective term for the plum blossom, the orchid, the bamboo, and the chrysanthemum. That is, it is possible that this tsuba once belonged to a pair of tsuba (daishō) where the smaller one, the shō, depicted an openwork of orchid and chrysanthemum.

Arms and Armor

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Sword Guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) Depicting Bamboo Vase for <i>Ikebana</i> and Plum BranchSword Guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) Depicting Bamboo Vase for <i>Ikebana</i> and Plum BranchSword Guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) Depicting Bamboo Vase for <i>Ikebana</i> and Plum BranchSword Guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) Depicting Bamboo Vase for <i>Ikebana</i> and Plum BranchSword Guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) Depicting Bamboo Vase for <i>Ikebana</i> and Plum Branch

The principal goals of the Arms and Armor Department are to collect, preserve, research, publish, and exhibit distinguished examples representing the art of the armorer, swordsmith, and gunmaker. Arms and armor have been a vital part of virtually all cultures for thousands of years, pivotal not only in conquest and defense, but also in court pageantry and ceremonial events. Throughout time the best armor and weapons have represented the highest artistic and technical capabilities of the society and period in which they were made, forming a unique aspect of both art history and material culture.