Ashmolean Eastern Art Online, Yousef Jameel Centre for Islamic and Asian Art

The guards in this group represent a technical classification only, and do not belong to any definite school.

The term maru-bori, literally “round carving”, is applied to work in which the large and boldly conceived subjects- human figures, plants, animals, or utensils- are depicted completely in the round within a border. Later examples show the addition not only of gold, but also of silver and copper incrustation (zōgan), generally for the faces and hands of figures- a style known as marubori-zōgan and the direct forebear of the style illustrated in the next group.

N.B.- Unless the contrary is stated, openwork modelling more or less in the round within a narrow border is to be understood in all of these descriptions.

Round tsuba with six-holed flute and parts of a hand drum (EAX.10767)    Tsuba in the form of a grape vine (EAX.10768)    Round tsuba in the form of a grape vine (EAX.10769)

Tsuba with butterflies and aoi, or hollyhock leaves (EAX.10770)    Round tsuba with writing impliments (EAX.10771)    Tsuba with mandarin ducks and waves (EAX.10772)

Mokkō-shaped tsuba with mandarin ducks and waves (EAX.10773)    Round tsuba with oak branches (EAX.10774)    Tsuba depicting a crane standing among reeds, rocks, and water (EAX.10775)

Round tsuba with rope curtain (EAX.10776)    Tsuba with a saihai, or general's baton (EAX.10777)    Round tsuba with conch shells and war fans (EAX.10778)

Round tsuba with seven open war fans (EAX.10779)    Tsuba with butterflies and aster (EAX.10780)    Tsuba with butterflies and aster (EAX.10781)

Tsuba with dewdrops on aoi, or hollyhock leaves (EAX.10782)