Tsuba with Chinese Characters ("Kanji")
(Japanese Military Armor)
On the right side of the tsuba, above the hole for the kozuka, is the raised character "raku" (enjoyment). Below it is a gold branch with flowers. Incised into the background is the handle of a hoe. The head of the hoe is formed by the opening on the left for the kozuka. On the reverse of the tsuba, the large figures in the center are a stylized version of the character "takara" (treasure). This is part of a mounted set.
Inscription
Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object.
Henry Walters, Baltimore [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.
Geographies
Japan, Tokyo (Edo) (Place of Origin)
Measurements
H: 1 7/8 in. (4.8 cm)
Credit Line
Acquired by Henry Walters
Location in Museum
Not on view
Accession Number
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
51.1199.2