Pseudo Sword Guard (Tsuba): Rat and Daikoku’s Mallet
Artist: Shibata Zeshin (Japanese, 1807-1891)
Date: 1875-1890, Edo Period (1600-1868)
Dimensions:
3 1/8 × 2 3/4 in. (7.9 × 7 cm)
Medium: incised black lacquer
Classification: Metalwork
Credit Line: Gift of Edward Drummond Libbey
Object number: 1912.789
Label Text:Made of layers of black lacquer over leather, this pseudo tsuba is too vulnerable to have served as an actual sword guard. The two unequal holes may well be himstoshi, the two holes found in netsuke through which the silk cord passes. Therefore, this pseudo-tsuba must have served as a netsuke, like those shown to the far left.
The masterfully incised rat, a symbol of the first year of the Japanese calendar cycle, and the mallet, a symbol of Daikoku, the Japanese god of food fortune, indicate that this pseudo-tsuba must have been intended as a New Year’s gift.
The masterfully incised rat, a symbol of the first year of the Japanese calendar cycle, and the mallet, a symbol of Daikoku, the Japanese god of food fortune, indicate that this pseudo-tsuba must have been intended as a New Year’s gift.
DescriptionIn the shape of a laquer sword-guard decorated with mouse and Daikoku's mallet.
Not on view
In Collection(s)