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Collections

Unknown
Sword Guard with Demon DesignEdo period, 1615-1868

Not on view
Japanese sword guard (tsuba) in dark brown patinated metal, with a fierce lion-like creature in high relief on the right side, wild mane, bared teeth, gold-accented eyes, and a gold-tipped staff
Iron tsuba with rounded square form, dark patina, featuring carved flowing water and a spiral wave pattern in relief, with small gold inlaid leaf motifs; central blade slot and oval kogai hitsu-ana opening.
Close-up of a Japanese sword tsuba in dark iron, showing an oval hitsu-ana opening at left and incised Japanese characters at center, with the blade visible at right.
Close-up of a dark patinated bronze surface with an oval recessed cartouche containing incised Chinese characters, the interior showing warm brown oxidation contrasting with the surrounding textured metal.
Artist or Maker
Unknown
Title
Sword Guard with Demon Design
Place Made
Japan
Date Made
Edo period, 1615-1868
Period
Edo period (1603 - 1868)
Medium
Iron, copper alloy (?), and gold
Dimensions
3 5/16 x 3 1/16 x 1/8 in. (8.4 x 7.8 x 0.3 cm)
Credit Line
The Phil Berg Collection
Accession Number
M.71.73.130
Classification
Arms and Armor
Collecting Area
Japanese Art
Selected Bibliography
  • Berg, Phil. Man Came This Way: Objects from the Phil Berg Collection. Los Angeles: Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 1971.