Tsuba with the Chinese General Kanyu on His Horse

Description The mounted figure along the right edge of this tsuba is 2nd-century Chinese general Kanyu (Ch. Guan Yu [Kuan Yu]). Stories of his activities during the Three Kingdoms period are told in the 14th-century novel "Romance of the Three Kingdoms." He is recognizable by his long black beard. He was sometimes called "Lord of the Splendid Black Beard." On the reverse of the tsuba is the back of his horse and a pine tree.

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

Inscriptions [Signature] 赤城軒　元孚; [Translation] Sekijoken/Motozane with "kakihan"

Credit Acquired by Henry Walters