Hand guard 1800 - 1825

Editor: So this is a Tomokane, a Japanese hand guard made of metal and ceramic between 1800 and 1825, decorated with intaglio and what looks like geometric figures and cloud shapes. It's interesting how such utilitarian items get elevated through craftsmanship. What strikes you most about this piece? Curator: I see a fascinating intersection of craft, labor, and the social hierarchy embedded within this hand guard. It moves beyond simple protection and ventures into a display of status. The choice of materials - metal and ceramic with intaglio detailing - points to a deliberate act of imbuing the object with value. Editor: Right, because you wouldn't need that kind of decorative detail just for practical purposes, correct? Curator: Exactly! Consider the labour involved in creating the intricate geometric patterns and intaglio work. It speaks to a skilled artisan class and a system of patronage where such meticulous work was commissioned and valued. How does the knowledge of it being a "hand guard" alter your viewing? Editor: It makes me think about the warrior culture it comes from. It’s a functional item, but transformed into something artistic. The integration of Ukiyo-e themes as decorative additions and what these implied to the commissioner… Were these decorations, symbols, and shapes tied to cultural identity? Curator: Absolutely. The materials themselves also have social weight. The scarcity and quality of certain metals and the complexity of ceramic work were signs of wealth and power. Also consider its relationship to the body in motion, as an intimate tool with cultural and spiritual significance beyond the simple binary of "protection" and "art." Do you find its physical manifestation as an art piece diminishes the functional intention? Editor: It's amazing to see how the functionality, artistry, material, labor and even the wearer’s status intertwine. The conversation makes the piece so much richer than it appears at first glance. Curator: Indeed. By focusing on the materiality and mode of production, we unveil the social context surrounding it and move beyond simple aesthetic appreciation to grasp the complex narratives embedded within this hand guard.