Tsuba (sword guard): Clouds, birds, and moon
Tsuba (sword guard): Clouds, birds, and moon
Tsuba (sword guard): Clouds, birds, and moon
Tsuba (sword guard): Clouds, birds, and moon

On view

Asian Art
Huo Pavilion

Tsuba (sword guard): Clouds, birds, and moon

Japanese
Edo period, 1603–1868 | Meiji era, 1868–1912
y1930-137
The tsuba is the guard of the Japanese sword. It prevents the hand from slipping onto the blade and brings the sword’s center of balance closer to the handle, resulting in better control of the sword and preventing fatigue of the wrists. While the tsuba plays a vital role in the mechanics of a sword, the examples exhibited here also speak to the aesthetic sensibility that accompanied swordsmanship. Specialized tsuba artisans produced ornate works using precious metals, which became family heirlooms—and, eventually, export collectors’ pieces.

Information

Title
Tsuba (sword guard): Clouds, birds, and moon
Medium
Iron with gold inlay
Dimensions
h. 8.5 cm., w. 7.8 cm., d. 0.6 cm. (3 5/16 x 3 1/16 x 1/4 in.)
Credit Line
The Mildred von Kienbusch Collection of Tsubas, given in 1914 by Carl Otto von Kienbusch, Class of 1906
Object Number
y1930-137
Place Made

Asia, Japan

Culture
Japanese
Period
Edo (Japanese period)
Type
swords, tsuba, metalworking
Materials
gold, iron
Techniques
inlay (process)
Subject
trees, birds, moons, clouds

The Mildred von Kienbusch Collection of Tsubas; Carl Otto von Kienbusch, Class of 1906 (1884–1976); given to the Princeton University Art Museum, 1914.

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