Tsuba with a Hawk Stalking a Monkey

Description The right side of the tsuba shows a hawk in high relief, looking for its prey. The monkey is hiding on the reverse. The truck of the tree where the hawk perches extends completely to the edge of the central hole, which is usual. Hawk hunting was a popular sport during the Edo period (1615-1868), and hawk motifs were common on objects made for warriors.

Conservation

Date	Description	Narrative
4/18/1962	Treatment	cleaned

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

Inscriptions [Transcription] Inscribed: oju, natsuo; [Translation] Inscribed: By special request, Natsuo.

Credit Acquired by Henry Walters