Tsuba with Gentian and Chrysanthemum Crests

Description The tsuba has a plain front and back, with decoration along the edge. Three family crests ("mon") are repeated twice each around the perimeter. One crest is the gentian crest that was used by branches of the Minamoto clan. The two other crests are variations of the chrysanthemum. While variations of the chrysanthemum crest is currently used only by imperial family members, in the early modern period it was widely used by warriors. This is part of a mounted set.

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

Inscriptions none

Credit Acquired by William T. or Henry Walters