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Image for Tsuba with Bishamonten
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Tsuba with Bishamonten Thumbnail

Tsuba with Bishamonten

Japanese (Artist)
19th century
shibuichi, gold, copper
(Japanese Military Armor)

In the Buddhist pantheon, Bishamonten is the chief of the four Guardian Kings who guard the cardinal directions. He protects the north and is shown holding a lance and a small pagoda. The pagoda symbolizes a treasure house of spiritual wealth that he protects. He also appears as one of the seven gods of good fortune in folk beliefs. In that context, he is considered the god of warriors. This makes him a particularly appropriate decoration for a tsuba. The reverse shows a pine tree, which is also considered a sign of good fortune. The branches from this pine tree appear along the upper border of the front side, as well.

Inscription

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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

2 9/16 x 2 3/8 x 1/16 in. (6.55 x 6.1 x 0.22 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.

51.99

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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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