Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Tsuba with Maple Leaves and Cherry Blossoms
(Japanese Military Armor)
The body of this tsuba was created using three types of metal. The upper section is made of an alloy of tin and copper, known as "sentoku." The middle section is primarily copper, and the bottom section is "shakudo," an alloy of copper and gold. The stylized lines represent a stream. Maple leaves, a symbol of autumn, decorate the front. On the reverse, cherry blossoms represent spring. Cherry blossoms and maple leaves are the two canonical symbols of th seasons and often appear together as a decoration.
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: 3 1/4 × W: 2 13/16 × D:3/16 in. (8.3 × 7.1 × 0.4 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.
51.303