Sword Guard (<i>Tsuba</i>) with the Carp and Seaweed Motif (藻鯉図鐔) 1868

Crafted by Kansai in the late 19th or early 20th century, this sword guard, or tsuba, merges the functional with the decorative through its composition and materiality. The dark iron is inlaid with gold, depicting a carp swimming amidst seaweed. The carp, rendered in striking relief, breaks free from the flat plane of the guard, creating a dynamic tension that engages the viewer's eye. The arrangement of the seaweed in the top and bottom left corners of the guard creates a mirrored symmetry. This is destabilized by the angled body of the fish on the right, which directs the viewer's focus. Kansai uses the tension between symmetry and asymmetry to create a viewing experience which is not merely decorative, but active. Consider how the textured surface of the iron both absorbs and reflects light, animating the scene and underscoring the organic fluidity of the water. This interplay between light and shadow deepens the visual narrative. Through its form and materiality, the tsuba transcends its function as a mere sword fitting, emerging as a complex object.