Tsuba (sword guard) with design of Kanzan (Chinese, Han Shan) and Jittoku (Chinese, Shihde), two Zen eccentrics / Artist Unknown, Japan
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About this Item
Record Details
- Accession Number
- 1978/2.5
- Title
- Tsuba (sword guard) with design of Kanzan (Chinese, Han Shan) and Jittoku (Chinese, Shihde), two Zen eccentrics
- Artist
- Artist Unknown, Japan
- Artist Nationality
- Japanese
- Medium and Support
- iron with gold, silver, and shakudô (copper-gold alloy) inlays
- Object Creation Date
- early 18th century
- Object Creation Place
- Asia (continent)
- Japan (nation)
- Creation Place 1
- Asia (continent)
- Creation Place 2
- Japan (nation)
- Credit Line
- Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Robert T. Weston
- Dimensions
- 8.2 cm x 8.2 cm x 0.3 cm (3 1/4 in. x 3 1/4 in. x 1/8 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
- Circular tsuba, made of iron. It has two holes in the middle. Two figures, Kanzan and Jittoku, are carved on the lower right corner. Kanzan, who holds a scroll on his hand, and Jittoku, who holds a bloom stick and pointing to the sky, are looking upward. The two figures are carved slightly higher than the surface. On the back, there is the moon partially obscured by clouds. Gold and silver alloy inlays are applied to the moon and the clouds. Gold is also inlayed in their eyes, parts of the garments, and Kanzan's scroll. Shakudô (copper-gold alloy) is inlayed in Jittoku's bloom and his jacket collars.
- Subject Matter
- Kanzan and Jittoku are Taoist eccentrics of whom little is known, but they are frequently represented (almost always together) in East Asian arts. Both lived in the monastery of Kuo Ching, spending most of their time in the kitchen, and speaking a gibberish unintelligible to anyone, resenting visitors, and noticing them only with insults. Kanzan holds a scroll, which he expounds to Jittoku, who stands by leaning on his broom. Both have a dwarfed and somewhat boyish appearance, but Kanzan's face is furrowed by age. (Reference: Edmunds, Will H. Pointers and Clues to the Subjects of Chinese and Japanese Art).
- Secondary Keywords
- associated concepts
- buddhism
- components
- components and systems
- components by specific context
- descriptors
- design elements
- earth sciences concepts
- edged weapon components
- edged weapons
- japanese buddhism
- motifs
- objects we use
- paintings
- paintings by form
- people
- people (agents)
- people and culture
- people by activity
- people by occupation
- people in religion
- people in religion and related occupations
- people in the humanities
- physical sciences concepts
- religions
- religions and religious concepts
- religious (people)
- scientific concepts
- visual works
- visual works by medium or technique
- weapon components
- weapons
- weapons and ammunition
- Rights
- If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit https://umma.umich.edu/about/services/request-image/ for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.
Technical Details
- Collection
- University of Michigan Museum of Art
- Image Size
- 2524 x 2580
- File Size
- 889 KB
- Record
- 1978/2.5
- Link to this Item
-
https://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/musart/x-1978-sl-2.5/1978_2_5_view1.jpg
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- In public portfolios
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- Manifest
-
https://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/i/image/api/manifest/musart:1978-SL-2.5:1978_2_5_VIEW1.JPG
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- Full citation
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"Tsuba (sword guard) with design of Kanzan (Chinese, Han Shan) and Jittoku (Chinese, Shihde), two Zen eccentrics; Artist Unknown, Japan." In the digital collection University of Michigan Museum of Art. https://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/musart/x-1978-sl-2.5/1978_2_5_view1.jpg. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed June 15, 2024.