Keywords: Iwamoto Konju - Tsuba with Lion Dancers - Walters 51105.jpg The lion dance is usually performed as part of the New Year's celebrations On this tsuba two performers dance in the lion costume along with a third masked figure who is also part of the dance The lion dance tradition developed in China from a belief that the dance would protect villages from evil spirits Stylized lions such as this are known as Chinese lions shishi in Japan A willow tree decorates the back and its boughs also appear in the upper portion of the front side The tsuba is signed with a seal on the reverse 1815 late Edo sentoku shibuichi with gold silver and copper detail cm 7 7 7 03 0 42 accession number 51 105 35471 Henry Walters Baltimore date and mode of acquisition unknown Walters Art Museum 1931 by beqeust Acquired by Henry Walters Seal Konju place of origin Edo present-day Tokyo Japan Walters Art Museum license Tsuba in the Walters Art Museum Iwamoto Konju Media contributed by the Walters Art Museum needs category review Reliefs of dancers on Japanese sword fittings |