Sword Guard (Tsuba) Depicting Bamboo Vase for Ikebana and Plum Branch

ca. 1615–1868

Not on view

This Bushū (武州) School tsuba shows a three-dimensionally (nikubori) interpreted openwork (ji-sukashi) of centrally a large bamboo vase with an ikebana-style arrangement of a plum branch holding two blossoms. The plum represents spring but combined with bamboo in the form of a bamboo vase, it is possible that the motif is an allusion to the subject of the Four Nobles Ones (shikunshi, 四君子), a collective term for the plum blossom, the orchid, the bamboo, and the chrysanthemum. That is, it is possible that this tsuba once belonged to a pair of tsuba (daishō) where the smaller one, the shō, depicted an openwork of orchid and chrysanthemum.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Title: Sword Guard (Tsuba) Depicting Bamboo Vase for Ikebana and Plum Branch
Date: ca. 1615–1868
Culture: Japanese
Medium: Iron
Dimensions: H. 3 1/8 in. (7.9 cm); W. 3 in. (7.6 cm); thickness 3/16 in. (0.5 cm); Wt. 4.2 oz. (119.1 g)
Classification: Sword Furniture-Tsuba
Credit Line: Edward C. Moore Collection, Bequest of Edward C. Moore, 1891
Object Number: 91.1.750
Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor

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