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

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

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Aori-shaped tsuba depicting the fisherman Urashimatarō with a minogame, or sacred tortoise

Glossary (2)

shibuichi, tsuba

  • shibuichi

    alloy of copper and silver, patinated to a dull grey-green colour

  • tsuba

    Japanese sword guard.

Location

    • currently in research collection

Objects are sometimes moved to a different location. Our object location data is usually updated on a monthly basis. Contact the Jameel Study Centre if you are planning to visit the museum to see a particular object on display, or would like to arrange an appointment to see an object in our reserve collections.

 

Publications online

  • The A.H. Church Collection of Japanese Sword-Guards (Tsuba) by Albert James Koop

    The A. H. Church Collection of Japanese Sword-Guards (Tsuba)

    Aori; hammered-up edge; fine modelling with slight incrustation of gold and silver; on the front the fisherman Urashimatarō, grasping his rod, leans over the side of his boat to draw aboard the sacred tortoise (minogame); above are clouds in gold inlay of tiny squares; at the back is a huge wave with large gold spray-drops, enclosing in its breaking crest a vision of the Sea King's palace, with haze expressed by powdered gold inlay. Signed: Hōgi [Japanese text] Masayoshi [Japanese text] with kakihan [Figure]. (Possibly Toyoki M., an independent worker.)

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