Tsuba with Cherry Blossoms in Mist

Description Both sides of this tsuba are densely decorated with cherry blossoms interspersed with a gold mist. Cherry blossoms are at their peak for only one or two weeks in the spring, so their beauty symbolizes the transience of life. Cherry blossoms have also become a symbol of Japan.

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

Inscriptions [Transcription] 武州住; [Transliteration] Bushu no ju; [Translation] Residing in Bushu; [Signature] 正親作; [Transliteration] Masachika saku; [Translation] made by Masachika

Credit Acquired by Henry Walters