Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Tsuba with the Four Gentlemen: Orchid, Bamboo, Plum, and Chrysanthemum
(Japanese Military Armor)
The four flowers depicted on this tsuba are known as the Four Gentlemen. The theme came to Japan from China. Each flower represents a different season. On the front, bamboo represents summer and plum represents winter. On the reverse, chrysanthemums and orchids represent autumn and spring respectively. This tsuba is signed Funada Ikkin, but may be the work of a later follower.
Inscription
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.
Geographies
Japan, Tokyo (Edo) (Place of Origin)
Measurements
3 3/8 x 3 x 3/16 in. (8.54 x 7.59 x 0.43 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.
51.345