Sword Guard (Tsuba) Depicting Heron on Boat (一路平安図鐔)

Fittings maker Shōzui Japanese

Not on view

This tsuba shows on the obverse a heron standing with one leg raised at the edge of a boat, a symbolism that represents such a peace and calmness that it was therefore traditionally associated with wishing someone a "safe journey" (ichiro-heian) in Japan. The upper left area shows a rising sun and on the reverse we see the moon and towards the bottom a small rock formation, small bamboo, and running water.

The artist Shōzui (政隨, 1696-1769) was trained by master Nara Toshinaga (奈良利寿, 1667-1736). After finishing his apprenticeship, he parted with the Nara School and established his own school, the Hamano (浜野) School, which became one of the most thriving and influental currents of the art of sword fitting making throughout the Edo period. Apart from Shūhōsai (穐蜂斎), Shōzui also used the art names Otsuryūken (乙柳軒), Miboku (味墨), Yūkotei (遊壷亭), Keitō (圭竇), and Keitōrin (圭竇林).

Sword Guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) Depicting Heron on Boat (一路平安図鐔), Shōzui (Japanese, Edo, 1696–1769), Iron, gold, copper-silver alloy (<i>shibuichi</i>), Japanese

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Obverse

Sword Guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) Depicting Heron on Boat (一路平安図鐔), Shōzui (Japanese, Edo, 1696–1769), Iron, gold, copper-silver alloy (<i>shibuichi</i>), Japanese
Sword Guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) Depicting Heron on Boat (一路平安図鐔), Shōzui (Japanese, Edo, 1696–1769), Iron, gold, copper-silver alloy (<i>shibuichi</i>), Japanese
Sword Guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) Depicting Heron on Boat (一路平安図鐔), Shōzui (Japanese, Edo, 1696–1769), Iron, gold, copper-silver alloy (<i>shibuichi</i>), Japanese
Sword Guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) Depicting Heron on Boat (一路平安図鐔), Shōzui (Japanese, Edo, 1696–1769), Iron, gold, copper-silver alloy (<i>shibuichi</i>), Japanese

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