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Image for Tsuba in the Shape of an Inkstone with Inkstick
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Tsuba in the Shape of an Inkstone with Inkstick Thumbnail

Tsuba in the Shape of an Inkstone with Inkstick

Japanese (Artist)
n.d. (Edo-Meiji)
iron, silver, gold
(Japanese Military Armor)

This tsuba has a raised rim that gives it the appearance of an inkstone. The upper right is decorated with a dragon. At the lower right is an inkstick decorated with a phoenix. Rather than purchasing liquid ink ready to use, individuals would make their own ink by grinding an inkstick in an inkstone to which a little water had been added. Only enough of the stone would be ground to create ink for the immediate use. On the reverse of the tsuba are peacock feathers decorated with gold enamel. The central opening for the blade has been plugged. This tsuba appears to be unused.

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none

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.

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Geographies

Japan (Place of Origin)

Measurements

3 1/8 in. (7.9 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.

51.411

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Hours

  • Wednesday—Sunday: 10 a.m.—5 p.m.
  • Thursday: 1–8 p.m.
  • Monday—Tuesday: Closed

Location

600 N. Charles St.
Baltimore, MD
21201

Phone

410-547-9000

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