Sword Guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) Depicting Six Connected Butterflies (六つ蝶繋透鐔)

Sword Guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) Depicting Six Connected Butterflies (六つ蝶繋透鐔)

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

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.

Arms and Armor

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Sword Guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) Depicting Six Connected Butterflies (六つ蝶繋透鐔)Sword Guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) Depicting Six Connected Butterflies (六つ蝶繋透鐔)Sword Guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) Depicting Six Connected Butterflies (六つ蝶繋透鐔)Sword Guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) Depicting Six Connected Butterflies (六つ蝶繋透鐔)Sword Guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) Depicting Six Connected Butterflies (六つ蝶繋透鐔)

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.