Sword Guard (Tsuba) Depicting Guardian of the Buddha (仁王図鐔)

Japanese

Not on view

This tsuba shows on the obverse a prominent and highly sculptural Niō (guardian of the Buddha, also referred to as Kongōrikishi, 金剛力士) with his typical attributes vajra (a ritual Buddhist weapon) and draped garment. The reverse shows a dove and scattered leaves. The work is a typical ostentatious hamamono primarily made for export.

Sword Guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) Depicting Guardian of the Buddha (仁王図鐔), Copper (suaka), gold, copper-gold alloy (shakudō), Japanese

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Obverse

Sword Guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) Depicting Guardian of the Buddha (仁王図鐔), Copper (suaka), gold, copper-gold alloy (shakudō), Japanese
Sword Guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) Depicting Guardian of the Buddha (仁王図鐔), Copper (suaka), gold, copper-gold alloy (shakudō), Japanese

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