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Japanese Military Armor

Most of the Japanese military objects William and Henry Walters collected were made during the Edo (1615-1867) and Meiji (1868-1912) periods. During these years, Japan was largely at peace. There was still a military class (the samurai), but they rarely engaged in active battle. Arms and armor became an outward symbol of status among the military class. Once Westerners were able to freely enter Japan after 1854, swords and sword fittings became popular items to collect. Some of the fittings in the Walters collection were made specifically for sale to Westerners and were never mounted on swords.

One of the most popular sword fittings among collectors was the “tsuba” or sword guard. Tsubas are placed at the end of the sword handle, or “tsuka,” to protect the bearer’s hand from being cut. Adjacent to the tsuba is a small decorated ring called the “fuchi.” This surrounds the opening on the handle and is usually paired with a “kashira” that covers the pommel end of the handle. On either side of the handle were “menuki.” These were originally developed because they helped the bearer maintain his grip on the handle, but later became strictly decorative adornments. The scabbard covering the blade is called the “saya.” In addition to shielding the sword, it often has openings along the outside to hold a utility knife and a hairpin, chopsticks or a tool designed to spur a horse. The decorated handle of the utility knife is called the “kozuka.” The other items are called “kogai,” warikogai” and “umabari.” In some cases all of these fittings were made as a set by one artist, but more frequently three or four different artists would make the pieces used in one mounting.

Special Thanks

The study and photography of the Japanese Arms and Armor collection was made possible through a generous grant provided by the Institute for Museum and Library Services. The IMLS is the primary source of federal support for the nation's 123,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. The Institute's mission is to create strong libraries and museums that connect people to information and ideas.

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Image for Kojiri with Cricket and Cockroach

Kojiri with Cricket and Cockroach

Japanese Artist
18th-19th century
51.1135
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Image for Kozuka with a Moon in Clouds

Kozuka with a Moon in Clouds

Japanese Artist
18th-19th century (Edo)
51.719
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Image for Kozuka with Figures on Boats

Kozuka with Figures on Boats

Japanese Artist
18th-19th century (Edo)
51.1254.4
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Image for Kashira with Millet and a Straw Hat

Kashira with Millet and a Straw Hat

Japanese Artist
18th-19th century
51.1105
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Image for Fuchi with Landscape and Figures

Fuchi with Landscape and Figures

18th century (Edo)
51.926
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Image for Fuchi with a Man Fishing

Fuchi with a Man Fishing

18th century (?) (Edo)
51.994
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Image for Tsuba with Quail, Sparrow and Millet

Tsuba with Quail, Sparrow and Millet

Japanese Artist
18th-19th century
51.290
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Image for Kozuka with a Kingfisher in Reeds

Kozuka with a Kingfisher in Reeds

Japanese Artist
18th-19th centuries (?) (Edo)
51.692
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Image for Fuchi with Dragon

Fuchi with Dragon

Japanese Artist
18th-19th century (Edo)
51.1255.3A
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Image for Fuchi with Demon

Fuchi with Demon

Japanese Artist
18th-19th century
51.1126
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Image for Kozuka with Cranes and Reeds

Kozuka with Cranes and Reeds

Japanese Artist
18th century (?)
51.716
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Image for Tsuba with Insects in Autumn Grass

Tsuba with Insects in Autumn Grass

18th century (Edo)
51.403
On view
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Image for Kozuka with a Lily

Kozuka with a Lily

Japanese Artist
18th-19th centuries (Edo)
51.687
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Image for Fuchi with Landscape with a Bridge

Fuchi with Landscape with a Bridge

Naoyoshi (Japanese) Metalworker
18th century (Edo)
51.909
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Image for Tsuba with Clouds

Tsuba with Clouds

Japanese Artist
18th-19th century (Edo)
51.1255.2
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Image for Kozuka with Seagulls

Kozuka with Seagulls

Japanese Artist
18th century (?) (Edo)
51.834
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Image for Fuchi with Demon

Fuchi with Demon

1701-1761 (Edo)
51.1253.3A
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Image for Fuchi with Fish and Bamboo

Fuchi with Fish and Bamboo

18th century (?) (Edo)
51.1124
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Image for Tsuba with the Chinese Immortal Gama Sennin

Tsuba with the Chinese Immortal Gama Sennin

18th century (?) (late Edo)
51.123
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Image for Kozuka with Sankan on a Mule

Kozuka with Sankan on a Mule

Japanese Artist
18th-19th century (Edo)
51.1268.4
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Image for Tsuba with Autumn Flora and Insects

Tsuba with Autumn Flora and Insects

18th century (mid Edo)
51.392
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Image for Tsuba with Ômori Hikohichi Crossing a Stream with a Demon

Tsuba with Ômori Hikohichi Crossing a Stream with a Demon

early 18th century (Edo)
51.307
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Image for Kozuka with Marishiten

Kozuka with Marishiten

18th century (mid Edo)
51.861
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Image for Tsuba with Chrysanthemums

Tsuba with Chrysanthemums

Japanese Artist
18th-19th century (Edo period)
51.1229.2
On view
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Image for Kashira with Sea Bream and Bamboo

Kashira with Sea Bream and Bamboo

Japanese Artist
18th century (?)
51.1115
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Image for Kozuka with a Bird in a Stream with Lotus Leaves

Kozuka with a Bird in a Stream with Lotus Leaves

Japanese Artist
18th century (?) (Edo)
51.700
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Image for Kozuka with Mounted Samurai under Cherry Blossoms

Kozuka with Mounted Samurai under Cherry Blossoms

18th century (Edo)
51.1253.4
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Image for Tsuba with Plum Blossoms

Tsuba with Plum Blossoms

Japanese Artist
18th-19th century (?)
51.358
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Image for Kozuka with Yoshitsune and a Tengu

Kozuka with Yoshitsune and a Tengu

Japanese Artist
18th-19th century (Edo)
51.715
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Image for Kozuka with "Oni" Carrying a Bucket

Kozuka with "Oni" Carrying a Bucket

Japanese Artist
18th century (?) (Edo)
51.879
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Image for Fuchi with Millet and Straw Basket

Fuchi with Millet and Straw Basket

Japanese Artist
18th-19th century
51.1104
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Image for Kashira with Dragon in Clouds

Kashira with Dragon in Clouds

Japanese Artist
18th century
51.1131
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