Hand guard 1825 - 1875

This is a hand guard made by Hagiya Katsuhira, who lived from 1804 to 1886. We don't know exactly when it was made. Hand guards like this one were functional components of swords, protecting the wielder's hand. But they were also canvases for artistic expression. Katsuhira's hand guard invites us to consider the intricate relationships between martial culture, artistic expression, and personal identity in 19th-century Japan. As Japan modernized and Westernized, the samurai class and its traditions came under scrutiny. Against this backdrop, artists like Katsuhira navigated a complex terrain, producing objects that reflected both continuity and change. The work transforms a tool of war into an object of beauty, laden with cultural meaning. Katsuhira prompts us to reflect on the emotional and intellectual landscape of a society in transition.