Tsuba with Stone Lanterns
(Japanese Military Armor)
This tsuba is made in the shape of three stone lanterns. The large, central lantern contains the opening for the sword. In the smaller lantern on the left is the opening for the utility knife. The surface is covered in a subtle stippling pattern. Lanterns in this style are often found in Japanese gardens or on the grounds of Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines. At religious institutions, the lanterns have usually been donated by a patron and are inscribed with his or her name.
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, Tokyo (Edo) (Place of Origin)
Measurements
H: 2 11/16 x W: 2 in. (6.8 x 5 cm)
Credit Line
Acquired by Henry Walters
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.
51.179