Hand guard 17th century

This iron hand guard, or tsuba, was made by Shoami Ietake in Japan, at an unknown date. The tsuba’s design incorporates a square within a circle. The inscription provides information about the maker and likely the owner, reflecting a culture of patronage and artistic lineage. The Samurai class in Japan played a crucial role in shaping the arts, and we should remember that swords were not only weapons, but also status symbols. This helps us understand why functional objects such as the tsuba could be elevated to an art form. The maker, Ietake, belonged to the Shoami school. Such schools often worked for feudal lords, which indicates the complex relationship between artistic production and social hierarchy. When interpreting this tsuba, historians consult genealogical records, inscriptions, and studies of the Shoami school to understand the identity of the patron for whom the hand guard was made. This reveals the dynamics of power, artistic production, and the social meanings embedded in Japanese craftsmanship.