Tsuba with Nitta Yoshisada Throwing his Sword into the Sea

Description Standing at the right side of the tsuba is Nitta Yoshisada (1301-1338). He was a warrior loyal to Emperor Go-Daigo (1288-1339) in the emperor's war against the Kamakura shogunate. Yoshisada led an army to attack Kamakura in 1333. Because the terrain around Kamakura is very rough, he decided to attack by sea. Here, he is shown throwing his sword into the sea as an offering after praying to the gods of the sea. His attack was successful and Emperor Go-Daigo returned to power. On the reverse of the tsuba is a pine tree. This is part of a mounted set depicting warriors loyal to Emperor Go-Daigo.

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

Inscriptions none

Credit Acquired by William T. or Henry Walters