Hand guard with cherry trees and pheasants c. 1800 - 1850

This hand guard (tsuba) for a Japanese sword, created by Ishiguro Masatsune, depicts a scene of cherry trees and pheasants. The intricate relief carving highlights the delicate branches of the flowering cherry trees, with gold accents applied to the blossoms and the birds' plumage. Masatsune, a master of the Edo period (1603-1868), specialized in naturalistic depictions, and this tsuba demonstrates his skilled artistry. The tsuba, a small but significant part of the sword, was not only functional but also a decorative element that reflected the owner's taste and status.