Tsuba with leaves and tendrils

Title

Tsuba with leaves and tendrils
Associated place

Japan (place of creation)
Date

17th century (1601 - 1700)
Material and technique

iron, with taka-zōgan (high relief inlay) in brass and copper, and with pointillé decoration; modern gold inlay
Material index

iron;

brass;

copper;

gold
Technique index

forged;

inlaid;

punched
Object type

tsuba
Dimensions

8.4 x 8.3 cm (height x width)
No. of items

1
Credit line

Bequeathed by Dame Jemima Church, in accordance with the wishes of her Husband, Sir Arthur H. Church, 1929.
Museum location

not on display
Museum department

Eastern Art
Accession no.

EAX.10113

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Catalogue text

Two large namako ("sea-slug" or sausage-shaped) ryōhitsu; the remaining surface on both faces encrusted with slightly raised brass, including the narrow border with faint pointillé scrolls, and parts of two large lobed leaves, with tendrils and tasselled cords; three of these tassels are in copper and one has been partly restored, probably by Sir Arthur Church, by pressing a piece of gold into the vacant hollow.

Riōhitsu like these are characteristic of certain Higo guards (Group XIII), but this guard probably did not originate in that province.

tsuba

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