Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Tsuba with Spiny Lobsters and Seaweed
(Japanese Military Armor)
This tsuba shows two spiny lobsters among seaweed. The lobster on the front is made of copper; the one on the back is gold. The lobster is frequently part of New Year's decorations. Its doubled over body is considered a sign of honorable old age.
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
2 15/16 x 2 13/16 x 3/16 in. (7.4 x 7.1 x 0.44 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.
51.121