Tsuba with Maple Leaves and Cherry Blossoms

Description This tsuba is decorated with the most popular motifs for spring and autumn. Cherry blossoms at the upper right are a sign of spring. The flowers are made of silver. Maple leaves, which are associated with autumn, are in the lower left. One leaf is made of gold. The other is decorated with copper and a copper alloy with gold. Both cherry blossoms and maple leaves inspire picnics and other activities center on enjoying their beauty.

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

Inscriptions [Inscription] 月琴堂　幽才; [Signature] illegible

Credit Acquired by Henry Walters