Tsuba (sword guard) with animal signs of the Japanese zodiac

Nakai Tomoyuki

Nakai Tomoyuki - Tsuba (sword guard) with animal signs of the Japanese zodiac
This iron sword guard is decorated with the animals of the Japanese zodiac. Like the Chinese zodiac, it consists of twelve animals: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep (or goat), monkey, rooster, dog and pig. The individual years of the twelve-year cycles are influenced by the animals’ characteristic features.
date:
measurements: depth 7,2 cm
material: Patinated Iron
technique: Takabori
inscription:
inventory number: Vu 1320
gallery collection: Collection of Asian and African Art