Sword Guard (Tsuba) Depicting Dragon Between Waves (波龍図鐔)

Japanese

Not on view

This tsuba shows on the obverse a prominent golden dragon between waves and clouds which are also seeon on the reverse. The space between the clouds and waves is filled with nanako (a fish roe-like surface finish), as is the rim, and the sprey of the waves is highlighted in gold.

Tokinobu (1827-1879) was a student of the second Sano generation Naoteru (直照) who was later adopted his master and succeeded as third generation of this school. His real name was Mori Ichijūrō (守市十郎) and tradition has it that he also learned from the Yanagawa master Naotoki (直時).

Sword Guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) Depicting Dragon Between Waves (波龍図鐔), Copper-gold alloy (shakudō), gold, copper, Japanese

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Open Access

As part of the Met's Open Access policy, you can freely copy, modify and distribute this image, even for commercial purposes.

API

Public domain data for this object can also be accessed using the Met's Open Access API.

Obverse

Sword Guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) Depicting Dragon Between Waves (波龍図鐔), Copper-gold alloy (shakudō), gold, copper, Japanese
Sword Guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) Depicting Dragon Between Waves (波龍図鐔), Copper-gold alloy (shakudō), gold, copper, Japanese

This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.