Sword Guard (Tsuba) With the Motif of Insects and Autumnal Vegetation (秋草に虫図鐔)
This small tantō-tsuba has a polished finish (migaki-ji) and shows in relief (takabori) on the obverse (omote) two crickets (one in gold and one in copper), a grasshopper (in gold and shakudō), and a Chinese bellflower which is one of the Seven Autumnal Flowers. The reverse (ura) is only sparsely decorated with plants towards the bottom left.
Throughout the Edo period, there were several artists with the name Masanaga active in Edo, i.e. Musashi province as stated in the signature. For example, two from the Bushū Itō (伊藤) School and two from the Nara (奈良) School.
Throughout the Edo period, there were several artists with the name Masanaga active in Edo, i.e. Musashi province as stated in the signature. For example, two from the Bushū Itō (伊藤) School and two from the Nara (奈良) School.
Artwork Details
- Title: Sword Guard (Tsuba) With the Motif of Insects and Autumnal Vegetation (秋草に虫図鐔)
- Date: 18th century
- Culture: Japanese
- Medium: Gold, copper-gold alloy (shakudō), silver, copper, copper-silver alloy (shibuichi)
- Dimensions: H. 2 3/16 in. (5.6 cm); W. 1 11/16 in. (4.3 cm); thickness 1/4 in. (0.6 cm); Wt. 2.6 oz. (73.7 g)
- Classification: Sword Furniture-Tsuba
- Credit Line: Bequest of Stephen Whitney Phoenix, 1881
- Object Number: 81.1.415
- Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor
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