Japanese tsuba with landscape and horse motif, 19th century
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
first half of the 19th century
This Japanese tsuba is a sword guard crafted from burnished cast iron, dating to the late Edo period, specifically the first half of the 19th century. It features a Tate-maru-gata, or vertical circular shape, measuring 7.5 by 7 centimeters.
Both the obverse and reverse sides are embellished with a detailed relief design depicting a landscape scene populated with wild horses. The central portion of the tsuba contains a nakago-ana, the aperture designed to accommodate the sword tang. The piece is signed by the artisan, though the specific name is not transcribed. The surface shows evidence of age consistent with its historical origin. This guard serves both a functional purpose on a Japanese sword and as a canvas for decorative metalwork, showcasing the traditional motifs favored during the late Edo era.
It is a preserved example of Japanese metal smithing and decorative arts from this period.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- burnished cast iron
- Dimensions
- 7.5 x 7 cm
Technical characteristics
- Shape
- Tate-maru-gata
- Aperture
- central Nakago-Ana
Design
- Motif
- landscape with wild horses
- Decoration
- relief
Identification
- Source note
- Described from a single auction-house listing published on Invaluable (reproduced with Invaluable's permission). Details apply to that one example; other examples of the type may differ, and the listing is supplementary evidence, not authentication.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.