Tsuba (sword guard): Demon Leading the Demon Queller Shōki on a Horse
Artist/Culture
Japanese
Dateearly 1800s
Mediumsentoku (copper alloy) with inlaid copper, gold, silver, shibuichi and shakudō
Dimensions7.5 x 7 cm (2 15/16 x 2 3/4 in.)
ClassificationsArms and Armor
Credit LineBequest of Mildred Marcus Levin and Harold Lester Levin
Object number1976.234
DescriptionPlate of sentoku; nakago-ana fitted with copper seki-gane (plug) at edge end; one hitsu adjacent to nakago-ana. Decorated in shishiai-bori relief (i.e. below the surface level of the metal). Inlaid with copper (demon), gold (eyes, flowers, hat), silver (horse fittings), shakudo (horse's eye, flowers). Fine engraved detailing on clothing, hat, horse's mane. There are many versions of this tsuba, but this example is exceptionally fine (see digital file).4.2 ozLabel TextShoki was the Japanese version of Zhong Kui, a Chinese Daoist deity attributed with power over demons and other evil spirits. This elaborate tsuba was made in Tokyo by the tsubako (tsuba-maker) Hiroyasu. With its sunken relief carving and multiple materials, it is characteristic of the art of the tsubako at its most developed stage.ProvenanceMildred Marcus Levin and Harold Lester Levin, Nutley, NJ
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