Sword Guard (Tsuba)

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

This iron tsuba shows on both sides an arrangement of butterflies which occupies entire plate. The artist Masatoyo (正豊), real name Okada Toyosaburō (岡田豊三郎), was originally from Nagato province (present-day Yamaguchi Prefeture) but later moved to Edo where he studied with the Itō (伊藤) School master Masatsune (正常). There exists a dated work from Tenpō eleven (天保, 1840) which roughly informs us about his active period. Masatoyo’s workshop was located in the Negishi (根岸) neighborhood of Edo’s Shitaya (下谷) district.

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