The Buddhist deity, Benzaiten, goddess of knowledge and music, riding a dragon through the clouds and playing a zither (koto)

The tsuba is a practical device placed between the hilt and the blade giving protection to the hand as well as providing a medium for the Japanese metalworker to demonstrate his skills. Early tsuba were simple iron disks but these were sometimes pierced or hammered with low relief decoration. Various copper alloys were later used and these could be patinated to a wide range of colours and finishes and then inlaid with other coloured metal alloys. Tsuba became miniature art forms in their own right and many schools developed their own unique styles.

Following the abolition of the samurai class in 1876, many Japanese artisans lost their traditional patrons and had to find new markets for their skills. Some makers of sword fittings produced extremely high-quality works using traditional techniques but now in new and exciting ways and these were avidly acquired by western collectors.
Record created
June 25, 2009
Record URL

https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O464809/tsuba-higashiyama-motonobu/