Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Tsuba with a Dragonfly
(Japanese Military Armor)
The body of a dragonfly is at the upper right of the tsuba. The wing's on the dragonfly's right extend over the top and appear on the reverse. The tail runs along the right edge. Dragonflies are a symbol of autumn. There is also an ancient tradition of calling Japan "Dragonfly Island" because the legendary first emperor, Jimmu, thought that when viewed from the top of a mountain the islands had the shape of a dragonfly.
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 (Place of Origin)
Measurements
2 x 1 1/2 x 3/16 in. (5.1 x 3.79 x 0.45 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.
51.254