Tsuba with a Gate Guardian at a Temple

Description On the front of this tsuba is one of the paired guardians ("ni-ô") who guard the main south gate at Buddhist temples in Japan. At the bottom, the top of the fence that typically surrounds the gods can be seen. The fierce figures protect temples from evil spirits. On the reverse are two figures among the pillars of the temple. Because of the unusually large size of the pillars, this may be the Great Buddha hall at Todaiji in Nara.

Provenance Henry Walters, Baltimore [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.

Inscriptions [Signature] Otsuryuken Shôzui

Credit Acquired by Henry Walters