Tsuba (sword guard) with inlaid design of samurai on horseback at the shore / Harunori

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Record Details

Accession Number
1978/2.2
Title
Tsuba (sword guard) with inlaid design of samurai on horseback at the shore
Artist
Harunori
Artist Nationality
Japanese
Object Creation Date
18th century
Object Creation Place
Asia (continent)
Japan (nation)
Creation Place 1
Asia (continent)
Creation Place 2
Japan (nation)
Dimensions
7.8 cm x 7.2 cm x 0.4 cm (3 1/16 in. x 2 13/16 in. x 3/16 in.)
Century
18th century
Primary Object Classification
Arms and Armor
Primary Object Type
sword guard
Secondary Object Classification
Metalwork
Secondary Object Type
sword guard
Physical Description
This small, flat metal piece has a quartrefoil shape. Three holes in the middle. Some chips can be seen around the center hole, which mended with silver and copper. A samurai on horseback is charging into the sea from steep hill; he is wearing a helmet, armor, and sword, and holding a fan. A pine tree is standing on the samurai’s right side; there are rocks and bamboo grass by the ocean. The motifs of the ocean, pine tree, bamboo grass and rocks also appear on the reverse side. Gold and some silver and copper inlays are applied on pine branches, samurai's helmet, horse's mane and bridle, bamboo grass on the shore, and spray from waves.
Subject Matter
Tsuba (sword guard) is inserted between a sword handle and blade to protect hands from sharp blades. The center hole is where the sword is placed. A smaller hole on the left is to place an ornamental stick, kozuka. Another hole on the right is to insert kougai, spatula-like sticks which are said to be used for itching hair underneath hats or helmets. The samurai, charging into the sea, is unidentified. Possibly Minamoto no Yoshitsune (1159 - 1189), who was said to have uncompared braveness and mythical power.
Primary Keywords
bamboo
horse
ocean
pine tree
samurai
Rights
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Technical Details

Image Size
2188 x 1926
File Size
583 KB
Record
1978/2.2
Link to this Item
https://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/musart/x-1978-sl-2.2/1978_2_2_view1.jpg

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https://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/i/image/api/manifest/musart:1978-SL-2.2:1978_2_2_VIEW1.JPG

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"Tsuba (sword guard) with inlaid design of samurai on horseback at the shore; Harunori." In the digital collection University of Michigan Museum of Art. https://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/musart/x-1978-sl-2.2/1978_2_2_view1.jpg. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed March 30, 2024.
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