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Sword Guard (Tsuba) With the Motif of Autumnal Vegetation (秋草透鐔)

Fittings maker Mitsunobu Japanese
17th century
Not on view
This tsuba shows a three-dimensional openwork (nikubori ji-sukashi) of autumnal vegetation (akikusa), with the two hitsu-ana (openings for scabbard accessories) being organically formed by the motif. Please note that the first part of the signature, "Nōshū-jū" (濃州住, "resident of Mino province"), is chiseled whereas the second part, "Mitsunobu + monogram" (光伸「花押」) is inlaid in gold and executed in seal script.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Sword Guard (Tsuba) With the Motif of Autumnal Vegetation (秋草透鐔)
  • Fittings maker: Mitsunobu (Japanese, Mino province, active 17th century)
  • Date: 17th century
  • Culture: Japanese
  • Medium: Iron, gold, copper, silver-copper alloy (shibuichi)
  • Dimensions: H. 2 5/16 in. (5.9 cm); W. 2 7/16 in. (6.2 cm); thickness 3/16 in. (0.5 cm); Wt. 2.6 oz. (73.7 g)
  • Classification: Sword Furniture-Tsuba
  • Credit Line: Edward C. Moore Collection, Bequest of Edward C. Moore, 1891
  • Object Number: 91.1.757
  • Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor

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