Sword Guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) Depicting Dragon in Waves (波に龍図鐔)

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The plate of this tsuba is interpreted in a highly uneven manner and shows a relief of a dragon in waves which is partially highlighted in gold nunome-zōgan. The spray of the waves appears to be shibuichi or silver. Shigehiro (重強), art name Gessensai (月泉斎), was an artist who was based in Ōmi province (present-day Shiga Prefecture). His name can also be read Shigeatsu.

Arms and Armor

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

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.

Metropolitan Museum of Art