Sword Guard (Tsuba) 19th century

This 19th-century sword guard, or *tsuba*, was crafted by the renowned Japanese metalworker Gotō Ichijō (1791–1876). The *tsuba*, made of iron and decorated with gold and silver, depicts a crane standing in a marsh. The intricate detail of the crane and the delicate rendering of the marsh grasses demonstrate the mastery of Gotō Ichijō, who was known for his skillful use of metalwork techniques, particularly in the *shakudo* and *shibuichi* alloys, which give the *tsuba* its rich, deep coloration. *Tsuba* are not only functional components of the sword, but also artistic expressions of the time, making this piece an excellent example of Japanese metalwork from the Edo period.