Sword guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) Depicting Ebisu (恵比須図鐔)

Sword guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) Depicting Ebisu (恵比須図鐔)

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

This tsuba depicts God of Fortune Ebisu and a young helper hauling in a net with fish. Ebisu is shown with his famous attributes fishing rod and fan as he is regarded as God of the fishing folk.

Arms and Armor

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Sword guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) Depicting Ebisu (恵比須図鐔)Sword guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) Depicting Ebisu (恵比須図鐔)Sword guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) Depicting Ebisu (恵比須図鐔)Sword guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) Depicting Ebisu (恵比須図鐔)Sword guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) Depicting Ebisu (恵比須図鐔)

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.