Tsuba with Geese and Autumn Reeds

Description Traditional Japanese culture is extremely sensitive to seasonality in artistic motifs and personal adornment. This tsuba evokes autumn through its decorations. The front shows two ducks under the reeds. On the back, a full moon shines over reeds. Autumn was the time to hold moon viewing parties on nights with full moons. Furthermore, pairs of mandarin ducks are a sign of conjugal fidelity because they mate for life.

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

Inscriptions [Signature] 案濤軒　光盧; [Translation] Antoken/Mitsuyoshi.

Credit Acquired by Henry Walters