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

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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

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