Sword Guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) with <i>Sansui Nanga</i> (Mountain and Seascape) Design

Sword Guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) with <i>Sansui Nanga</i> (Mountain and Seascape) Design

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

This sword guard is similar in design and interpretation to works by sword fittings makers who were based in Hizen province (present-day Nagasaki Prefecture). Its signature is extremely rare and provides a valuable reference for the study of Hizen Nagasaki-based sword fittings makers, some of which immigrated to Japan from places such as Ming and Qing China and Joseon Korea.

Arms and Armor

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Sword Guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) with <i>Sansui Nanga</i> (Mountain and Seascape) DesignSword Guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) with <i>Sansui Nanga</i> (Mountain and Seascape) DesignSword Guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) with <i>Sansui Nanga</i> (Mountain and Seascape) DesignSword Guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) with <i>Sansui Nanga</i> (Mountain and Seascape) DesignSword Guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) with <i>Sansui Nanga</i> (Mountain and Seascape) Design

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.