Tsuba with Phoenixes in a Paulownia Tree
(Japanese Military Armor)
Two phoenixes sit on the right side of this tsuba. Branches of the paulownia tree fill the top and bottom of the tsuba. The flowers of the tree are highlighted in gold. On the reverse of the tsuba, paulownia branchs are along the bottom and left sides. Paulownia wood is prized for making household objects such as chests and trays. It is know as the phoenix tree because it can re-grow from a stump.
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)
Japan, Mito (Place of Origin)
Measurements
3 1/16 in. (7.7 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.
51.212