This finely crafted tsuba (sword guard) features a delicate design of peony blossoms and butterflies, symbols of beauty, prosperity, and transformation in Japanese art. The flowers and insects are executed in soft metal inlays of gold and copper, standing in vivid contrast to the dark iron ground with gilded edge. Such decorative sword fittings not only protected the hand but also reflected the owner’s taste and refinement, elevating the sword into a personal work of art. This example reflects the 18th-century Edo period tradition of combining martial function with sophisticated ornament.. Image and description courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art (Open Access).