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Tsuba with Catfish and Eel Thumbnail
Tsuba with Catfish and Eel Thumbnail
Tsuba with Catfish and Eel Thumbnail
Tsuba with Catfish and Eel Thumbnail
Tsuba with Catfish and Eel Thumbnail
Tsuba with Catfish and Eel Thumbnail
Tsuba with Catfish and Eel Thumbnail
Tsuba with Catfish and Eel Thumbnail

Tsuba with Catfish and Eel

Iriyama Yoshitomo (Japanese, active ca. 1700-1750) (Artist)
ca. 1700-1750 (mid Edo)
copper, gold, silver
(Japanese Military Armor)

This tsuba is made in the shape of a catfish. The fish is wrapped around the central opening so that that its mouth touches its tail at the upper left. On the catfish's back, at the right side of the tsuba, is an eel. Both catfish and eel are associated with summer.

Inscription

[Signature] 財彫子 入山善知; [Translation] Saichôshi/Iriyama Yoshitomo (kao); [Inscription] 江州 彦根住; [Transliteration] Gôshû/Hikone jû; [Translation] Residing in Hikone, Gôshû

Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object. Learn more about provenance at the Walters.

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

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Geographies

Japan, Hikone (Place of Origin)

Measurements

3 1/4 in. (8.3 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.

51.361

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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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