Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Tsuba with Animals from the Chinese Zodiac
(Japanese Military Armor)
The Chinese zodiac, which is also used in Japan, assigns an animal to each year. There are twelve animals in total, six of which are depicted on this tsuba. The other six animals were probably used to decorate other sword fittings used with the tsuba. Each animal is placed within its own cartouche. On the front of the tsuba are a rat, a goat, a tiger, and a horse. On there reverse are a snake and an ox.
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 (Place of Origin)
Measurements
2 11/16 x 2 1/2 x 1/8 in. (6.9 x 6.4 x 0.35 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.
51.275