Sword Guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) Depicting (Chinese Windmill) Palm Branches (棕櫚透鐔)

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

This tsuba shows two Chinese windmill palm (Japanese: shuro, 棕櫚) branches in openwork (ji-sukashi). The two openings for scabbard accessories (hitsu-ana) have been plugged with shakudō and the rim is decorated with an alternating Greek key motif of gold and silver (nunome-zōgan), although the silver parts have almost entirely come off.

Arms and Armor

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

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.

Metropolitan Museum of Art