Tsuba
Record status
Individual type · partial
This Japanese tsuba, or sword guard, is made of dark patinated metal. It features a rounded lobed form with subtle indents along its outer rim. At the center is a vertical nakago-ana (blade aperture) fitted with softer metal plugs (sekigane) at the top and bottom, alongside an oval secondary aperture (ryohitsu-ana) positioned to the right.
The lower left section of the plate is decorated with low-relief carving and gold-coloured inlays. The design depicts flowing water currents and stylized foliage or reeds, accompanied by small droplet-like elements executed in relief and gold highlight. The rest of the surface retains a largely flat, smooth ground. No specific maker, date, or precise measurements are recorded for this piece originating from Japan.
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.
Historical context
The sword guard was acquired from a source not recorded in the museum's Asia Department registers and was accessioned in 1878.
Technical characteristics
- Place recorded
- Japan
Identification
- Source note
- Transcribed from the Victoria and Albert Museum collection record for this single object; how far it represents a wider collectible type has not been independently verified.
- Museum object name
- Tsuba
- Museum object number
- 334D-1878
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.