Sword Guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) Depicting Horned Owl in Plum Tree (梅樹に木菟図鐔)

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The obverse of this tsuba shows a plum tree with a horned owl (Japanese: mimizuku, 木菟) with one of the branches stretching onto the reverse. Most parts of the plate have been left undecorated and towards the top we see some clouds with gold accents.

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