Tsuba with karakusa, or scrolling plant pattern

Title

Tsuba with karakusa, or scrolling plant pattern
Associated place

Japan (place of creation)
Date

c. 1800
Material and technique

iron, with openwork decoration, and silver nunome-zōgan decoration
Material index

iron;

silver;

copper
Technique index

forged;

inlaid;

plugged
Object type

tsuba
Dimensions

8.2 x 7.3 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.10818

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Catalogue text

A central oval panel which absorbs the seppadai and is cut into by the ryōhitsu is modelled on each face in sharp low relief with a different seal-form of the character [Japanese text] ju, "long life"; a close row of karakusa leaves in openwork separates this from the border of circular section; silver nunome covers this border, the characters and the raised edges of the panel.

There is considerable Chinese influence about the design of this guard.

nunome-zōgan

tsuba

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