Sword Guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) in Shingen Design (信玄鐔)

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Legend has it that once the famous warlord Takeda Shingen (武田信玄, 1521-1573) started to wrap brass wires around the openwork bridges and rim of his tsuba as an excersise of concentration whilst waiting for the start of a battle. There are now tsuba that do feature brass or copper wired wound around an iron openwork frame and such which are merely inlaid with different metals to give that appearance. This tsuba is of the former category. Apart from the Shingen décor, there are two openings for scabbard accessories (hitsu-ana) and wire is also wound around the rim.

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