Sword guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) with Flower Basket Motif (花籠図鐔)

Sword guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) with Flower Basket Motif (花籠図鐔)

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

This tsuba shows an openwork design of a flower basket with bamboo forming the rim. Masatsugu, real name Takahashi Uhei (高橋卯兵衛), was a student of the second Akao generation Yoshitsugu (吉次) but also learned from the Bushū (武州) School. He signed in early years with the name Masaoki (正興) and used the gō (art name) Mokusantei (木三亭), which we also find quoted as Bokusantei or Kisantei. Masatsugu established his own branch within the Akao (赤尾) School which was based in Edo.

Arms and Armor

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Sword guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) with Flower Basket Motif (花籠図鐔)Sword guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) with Flower Basket Motif (花籠図鐔)Sword guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) with Flower Basket Motif (花籠図鐔)Sword guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) with Flower Basket Motif (花籠図鐔)Sword guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) with Flower Basket Motif (花籠図鐔)

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.