Sword Guard (Tsuba) With the Motif of Connected Shippō Elements (七宝繋ぎ透鐔)
The mesh-like pattern of this tsuba is composed of connected elements which are either described as four spindles arranged in a circle with ends touching or as overlapping circles, shippō in Japanese. As the so created design is infinite, it represents peace and harmony and was regarded as an auspicious symbol which also represented the wish for an "endless flourishing of one’s descendants" or an "infinite amount of treasures."
Artwork Details
- Title: Sword Guard (Tsuba) With the Motif of Connected Shippō Elements (七宝繋ぎ透鐔)
- Date: ca. 1615–1868
- Culture: Japanese
- Medium: Copper-gold alloy (shakudō)
- Dimensions: H. 2 7/8in. (7.3 cm); W. 2 5/8 in. (6.7 cm); thickness 3/16 in. (0.5 cm); Wt. 3.1 oz. (87.9 g)
- Classification: Sword Furniture-Tsuba
- Credit Line: Edward C. Moore Collection, Bequest of Edward C. Moore, 1891
- Object Number: 91.1.780
- Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor
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Omori Hidenaga
18th century
Hirata School
ca. 1615–1868
Japanese
late 14th century
Ishiguro Masayoshi
19th century
Kanō Natsuo
19th century
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