Sword Guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) With Elephant Motif (象図鐔)

Sword Guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) With Elephant Motif (象図鐔)

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The plate of this tsuba is finished with hammerblows (tsuchime) on both sides and the obverse shows may refer to one of the rare occasions when live elephants have been introduced to Japan (i.e. in 1408, 1575, 1597, 1602, 1728, and 1813). Three non-Japanese figures accompany the animal; one carrying a banner, one a drum, and one sitting on the back of the elephant blowing a trumpet. Towards the top right, a pine is engraved which stretches into the reverse which is only sparsely decorated.

Arms and Armor

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Sword Guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) With Elephant Motif (象図鐔)Sword Guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) With Elephant Motif (象図鐔)Sword Guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) With Elephant Motif (象図鐔)Sword Guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) With Elephant Motif (象図鐔)Sword Guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) With Elephant Motif (象図鐔)

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.