Sword Guard (Tsuba)

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

This tsuba is shaped to resemble Bodhidharma (Japanese: Daruma) smoking a pipe and wearing a large robe, with only a small part of his body exposed which bears the inscription "Watch out for fire!" Due to a usually dense urban layout in major towns and materials used for residential and non-residential construction, fires were a permanent threat throughout the history of Japan. Thus, much was done to remind people to be careful when handling fire and so we see written and pictorial warnings on many objects of daily life.

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