Sword guard (Tsuba) With the Motif of Plovers and Waves (波千鳥図鐔)
The obverse shows three differently colored plovers and the reverse waves, with the spray being highighted in gold. The signature states that the tsuba was inspired by design of Ogata Kōrin (尾形光琳, 1658-1716) of the Rinpa School. Kōrin’s unique and highly stylized plovers are colloquially referred to as "Kōrin Plovers" (Japanese: Kōrin-chidori, 光琳千鳥). It appears that this tsuba is a joint work between a certain Senshōsai Munekazu, whose name is not found in the relevant records, and Kakusensai, which was the art name of the Tanaka School artist Tsukui Yoshimune (津久井義宗, 1833-?). Due to the two artists sharing the character Mune, it is likely that they were related, i.e. as father and son and/or as master and student.
Artwork Details
- Title: Sword guard (Tsuba) With the Motif of Plovers and Waves (波千鳥図鐔)
- Date: 19th century
- Culture: Japanese
- Medium: Iron, copper, gold, copper-gold alloy (shakudō), copper-silver alloy shibuichi)
- Dimensions: H. 2 7/16 in. (6.2 cm); W. 2 1/8 in. (5.4 cm); thickness 3/16 in. (0.5 cm); Wt. 2.3 oz. (65.2 g)
- Classification: Sword Furniture-Tsuba
- Credit Line: Edward C. Moore Collection, Bequest of Edward C. Moore, 1891
- Object Number: 91.1.815
- Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Omori Hidenaga
18th century
Japanese
late 14th century
Hirata School
ca. 1615–1868
鷲田光中作 Washida Mitsunaka
19th century
Japanese
5th century
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.