Sword Guard (Tsuba)

Inscribed by Gotō Mitsuakira Japanese

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 378

Gotō Mitsuakira (1816–1856) was the sixteenth generation master of the main line of the renowned Gotō School of sword fitting makers. The decoration of this tsuba features Fukurokuju, the Shinto god of happiness, wealth, and longevity, with a stag. The fineness of the engraving distinguishes it as one of Mitsuakira’s masterpieces.

Sword Guard (Tsuba), Inscribed by Gotō Mitsuakira (Japanese, 1816–1856), Copper-gold alloy (shakudō), gold, silver, 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 (Tsuba), Inscribed by Gotō Mitsuakira (Japanese, 1816–1856), Copper-gold alloy (shakudō), gold, silver, copper, Japanese
Sword Guard (Tsuba), Inscribed by Gotō Mitsuakira (Japanese, 1816–1856), Copper-gold alloy (shakudō), gold, silver, copper, Japanese

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