Sword Guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) Depicting Peony and Butterflies (菊に蝶図鐔)

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The obverse of this tsuba shows in the top right corner a large peony in silver and an unopened chrysanthemum bud in gold. The silver petals of the open flower feature gold accents. Towards the bottom right we see smaller flower with gold, copper, and shakudō blossoms. Apart from some of the leaves of the chrysanthemum stretching over the washer seat (seppa-dai), the entire left part of the plate is left undecorated. On the sparsely decorated reverse we just see a colorful swallowtail and a smaller butterfly. The rim is highlighted in gold.

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