Sword guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) Depicting God of Longevity Jurōjin (寿老人図鐔)

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

This tsuba depicts the God of Longevity Jurōjin with his attributes staff, scroll, and crane. Jurōjin may also be shown in combination with a deer, which is the attribute of another of the Seven Gods of Furtune, Fukurokuju, hence the two are often confused. Fukurokuju however has a huge elongated head and it is also said that we are facing here just one deity who appears in two different manifestations. The reverse shows running water, a large pine tree, and a figure carrying a box on his back. The artist Toshinaga (利寿・利壽), first name Tabei (太兵衛) was born in Kanbun seven (寛文, 1667) and studied, depending on source, either with the third or the fourth Nara (奈良) School master, Toshiharu (利治) and Toshinaga (利永) respectively. Taking into consideration the fact that Toshiharu was born in Buroku two (文緑, 1593) (his year of death is unknown), it seems to be more likely that Toshinaga was his master. Toshinaga, whose name is homophonous with that of his master but written with a different character for Naga, was based in Edo and died in the first year of Genbun (元文, 1736).

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