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Tsuba depicting scene of Minamoto Yoshitsune at the Gojo Bridge
Tsuba depicting scene of Minamoto Yoshitsune at the Gojo Bridge

Tsuba depicting scene of Minamoto Yoshitsune at the Gojo Bridge

Datelate Edo or Meiji period, 19th century
Place Made DisplayJapan
MediumBrass
Dimensions2 15/16 × 2 3/4 inches (7.5 × 7 cm)
CultureJapan
ClassificationsArmor
Credit LineMemorial gift from the Estate of Charles W. Hay, Class of 1925
Terms
  • Decorative Arts
  • Sword accessories
  • Brass
  • Japanese
Object number73.005.055
Label CopyBRIEF DESCRIPTION This is a sword guard from a samurai sword. WHERE WAS IT MADE? This item was made in Japan during the Edo period (1615-1868). HOW WAS IT MADE? This tsuba was handcrafted from brass. The designs were achieved by engraving the metal with small chisels. HOW WAS IT USED? The tsuba, or sword guard, lies between the hilt and the blade of a samurai sword. The tsbua served to prevent the hand from sliding down the hilt and onto the blade during combat. It consists of an obverse (front) and reverse side. The obverse side is the one that would face the opponent, while the reverse side would come in contact with the hand of the user. For this reason, traditionally tsuba were kept smooth on the reverse side. WHY DOES IT LOOK LIKE THIS? During the peaceful Edo period, sword fittings were seldom created for swords that were to be used in battle. Instead, these fittings, such as the tsuba, became a medium for artistic work, appreciated for their exquisite workmanship, variety of designs, and refined beauty. Whereas until around the 1650s, only a small number of motifs were typically used to decorate the sword fittings, in the following years of the Edo period the artists who made these fittings took inspiration from images in books, characters in folktales, and other popular cultural and natural motifs. Swords and their fittings served as status items for samurai. A sword owner would select motifs that expressed his tastes, values and interests. Notice the design on this tsuba—it shows a warrior on a bridge. He is Yoshitsune (Ushiwaka, meaning Young Ox, is his childhood name), one of Japan’s most famous warriors, celebrated for his bravery and devotion to duty. Throughout his life, Yoshitsune (who was born in 1159) traveled between the islands of Honshu, Kyushu, and Shikoku to lead various battles, surprise attacks, etc, on both land and sea. He is often depicted dueling with another famous warrior, Benkei, who is absent from this rendition, at the Gojo Bridge in Kyoto. Notice that he carries a bow and arrows, as well as a sword. These were the preferred weapons of the samurai warriors, especially during the 12th century civil wars. Notice the shape of the central hole of the tsuba; it permitted the blade of the sword to pass through. Frequently one or two secondary holes are seen on tsuba; these were made to accommodate other small sword fittings, the kozuka (a small utility knife) and the kogai (a small hairdressing tool shaped like a skewer.)
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