Sword guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) With Cherry Blossom Motif (桜図鐔)

Sword guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) With Cherry Blossom Motif (桜図鐔)

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

This iron tsuba shows a blossoming cherry tree in relief and openwork which also organically forms the openings for scabbard accessories (hitsu-ana), of which one is plugged with gold. The tips of the cherry blossoms are partially highlighted in gold and the rim is gilded as well. Masanaga (正長), first name Chōsuke (長助), was an artist of the Odawara Itō (小田原伊藤) School and had studied with the second Odawara Itō master Masatsugu (正次). He later moved to Edo.

Arms and Armor

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Sword guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) With Cherry Blossom Motif (桜図鐔)Sword guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) With Cherry Blossom Motif (桜図鐔)Sword guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) With Cherry Blossom Motif (桜図鐔)Sword guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) With Cherry Blossom Motif (桜図鐔)Sword guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) With Cherry Blossom Motif (桜図鐔)

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.