Sword guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) Depicting Minamoto no Hiromasa Playing the Flute (源博雅図鐔)

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Making use of only bas relief and engravings, this tsuba shows nobleman and court musician Minamoto no Hiromasa (源博雅, 918-980) playing a transverse flute under a pine tree during a moonlit night, being joined by another person. The tsuba is signed Karyūsai (芲竜斎) which was the art name of the independent Kyōto artist Yamashita Bokusen (山下牧川) whose first name was Bunnai (文内) and who was active towards the end of the 18th century.

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