Sword guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) With the Motif of Plovers and Waves (波千鳥図鐔)

Sword guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) With the Motif of Plovers and Waves (波千鳥図鐔)

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The obverse shows three differently colored plovers and the reverse waves, with the spray being highighted in gold. The signature states that the tsuba was inspired by design of Ogata Kōrin (尾形光琳, 1658-1716) of the Rinpa School. Kōrin’s unique and highly stylized plovers are colloquially referred to as "Kōrin Plovers" (Japanese: Kōrin-chidori, 光琳千鳥). It appears that this tsuba is a joint work between a certain Senshōsai Munekazu, whose name is not found in the relevant records, and Kakusensai, which was the art name of the Tanaka School artist Tsukui Yoshimune (津久井義宗, 1833-?). Due to the two artists sharing the character Mune, it is likely that they were related, i.e. as father and son and/or as master and student.

Arms and Armor

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Sword guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) With the Motif of Plovers and Waves (波千鳥図鐔)Sword guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) With the Motif of Plovers and Waves (波千鳥図鐔)Sword guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) With the Motif of Plovers and Waves (波千鳥図鐔)Sword guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) With the Motif of Plovers and Waves (波千鳥図鐔)Sword guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) With the Motif of Plovers and Waves (波千鳥図鐔)

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.