Sword guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) Depicting Skanda (韋駄天図鐔)

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

This iron tsuba depicts on the obverse Skanda (Japanese: Idaten), the guardian of the teachings of Buddhism, and a Mara (天魔) demon. One of Skanda’s task was namely to explicitly protect members of Buddhist communities from Mara who were known for disturbing and tempting them. The reverse shows a swift mischievous Yaksha (夜叉) spirit, also referred to as Shōshitsuki (捷疾鬼) in Japanese, who has stolen Buddha’s relics but which were retrieved later by Skanda.

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