Hand guard with cherry blossom and rafts by Ito Masatsune

Hand guard with cherry blossom and rafts c. 1650 - 1750

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metal, relief

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metal

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asian-art

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relief

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ukiyo-e

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geometric

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decorative-art

Dimensions: height 7.6 cm, width 7.2 cm

Copyright: Rijks Museum: Open Domain

This is a hand guard or "tsuba" with cherry blossom and rafts, made from iron by Ito Masatsune. Though undated, it’s likely from the Edo period in Japan, a time of relative peace under the Tokugawa shogunate. Note how the rafts and blossoms are not merely decorative. The cherry blossom, or sakura, is a potent symbol in Japanese culture, representing the fleeting nature of life, something keenly felt by the samurai class. Rafts, on the other hand, suggest travel, perhaps a reference to the journeys warriors undertook or even the uncertain course of life itself. The tsuba was more than just a functional object. It was a canvas for expressing personal identity, taste, and even philosophical beliefs. Studying pieces like this offers insights into the values and aesthetics of the samurai class during a transformative period in Japanese history. By researching historical records and material culture, we can start to understand the complex interplay between art, society, and individual expression.

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