Tsuka with Animals
(Japanese Military Armor)
Three animals, all of which appear regularly in Japanese folk tales, are featured on this tsuka. The kashira is in the shape of a monkey. This is probably made by the same metalworker who made the accompanying fuchi because there is a folk tale about an encounter between a monkey and crab (which is shown on the fuchi). One menuki is in the shape of a badger. The other is of a rabbit pounding rice cakes. This is the figure said to be in the moon. The tsuka is part of a mounted set.
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.
William T. / Henry Walters Collection, Baltimore [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.
Geographies
Japan, Tokyo (Place of Origin)
Measurements
L: 7 3/16 in. (18.3 cm)
Credit Line
Acquired by William T. or Henry Walters
Location in Museum
Not on view
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.
51.1244.3B