Sword Guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) With the Motif of Two Rain Dragons (双雨龍図南蛮鐔)

Sword Guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) With the Motif of Two Rain Dragons (双雨龍図南蛮鐔)

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

This Nanban-tsuba (南蛮鐔) shows on the obverse (omote) the flush design of two rain dragons (amaryō) which are embedded into an arabesque pattern. The rim area is set off and decorated in a Greek key motif on both sides. The reverse (uratakara-zukushi): scrolls, an arrangement of four spindles (shippō), a clove, a weight, and a hollyhock leaf.

Arms and Armor

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Sword Guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) With the Motif of Two Rain Dragons (双雨龍図南蛮鐔)Sword Guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) With the Motif of Two Rain Dragons (双雨龍図南蛮鐔)Sword Guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) With the Motif of Two Rain Dragons (双雨龍図南蛮鐔)Sword Guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) With the Motif of Two Rain Dragons (双雨龍図南蛮鐔)Sword Guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) With the Motif of Two Rain Dragons (双雨龍図南蛮鐔)

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.