Sword Guard (Tsuba) 19th century

The sword guard before you, or tsuba, was crafted by Gotō Mitsuakira in 19th-century Japan. The dark, textured iron ground is punctuated by two asymmetrically placed openings and a central aperture. These voids create a dynamic interplay of positive and negative space, drawing the eye across the surface. Embedded into this iron ground are exquisitely detailed gold inlays, depicting a seated figure with a deer and a simple stylized emblem. The contrast of the warm gold against the cool iron creates a visual tension, while the intricate details of the inlays invite closer inspection. The arrangement of the figures destabilizes the symmetry of the guard. The positioning challenges conventional notions of balance, encouraging viewers to engage with the piece from multiple perspectives, questioning the established order. This tsuba exemplifies how art can disrupt fixed meanings and embrace new ways of thinking about space and representation.