Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Kozuka with Tiger and Moon
(Japanese Military Armor)
A large tiger dominates this kozuka. Tigers were considered the strongest animal. A small crescent moon is above the tiger's back and wraps around to the reverse of the kozuka. The inscription on the back reads "A fierce tiger roars, the moon rises above the mountains." The roaring of the tiger is symbolic of the teachings of Buddhism. The moon rising symbolizes enlightenment.
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.
William T. / Henry Walters Collection, Baltimore [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.
Geographies
Japan, Tokyo (Edo) (Place of Origin)
Measurements
3 3/4 in. (9.6 cm) (l.)
Credit Line
Acquired by William T. or 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.
51.822