Tsuba with the Chinese Immortal Gama Sennin

Description Provenance Inscription Credit

Description This tsuba shows the Taoist immortal Gama, who is always accompanied by a frog. The frog, who only has three legs, is on the reverse side. Gama's spirit was able to leave his body to wander and once returned to find the body unfit. He put his spirit into the nearest creature, which was a frog.

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

Inscriptions [Signature] 政春造; [transliteration] Masaharu zo [Translation] Made by Masaharu

Credit Acquired by Henry Walters

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Creator

Tamagawa Masaharu (Japanese, 1st half 18th century) (?) (Artist)

Period

18th century (?) (late Edo)

Medium

shibuichi, gold, silver, copper
(Arms & Armor)

Accession Number

51.123

Measurements

2 9/16 x 2 3/8 x 3/16 in. (6.48 x 6 x 0.43 cm)

Geographies

Japan, Tokyo (Edo) (Place of Origin)
Japan, Mito (Place of Origin)

Location Within Museum

Not On View