Artifacts - An object produced or shaped by human craft, especially a tool, weapon, or ornament of archaeological or historical interest.

All of what we know about ancient cultures is from documents or artifacts. The ancient artifacts from Japan give an unparalleled look at the social, economic, political, religions, and artistic characteristics of this unique culture.

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Christian Tsuba Signed: Yamashiro no kuni Fushimi no ju Kaneie ATsuba is the handguard on a Japanese sword.  This Edo period Tsuba  is unique for depicting a Christian theme during a time that westerners and western religion was outlawed in Japan by the Tokugawa shogun.   Executed in gold and silver, there is a reference to the Madonna and Child depicted above clouds. This subject is very rare in Japanese art and especially sword fittings. There are rocks and a pine tree on the right side of the tsuba and a Shoki on the bottom section with gold inlaid eyes and robe. The back of the tsuba has a scene of rocks and clouds.  Given both its size and the subtlety of its design this was likely a samurai possession. Edo Period Medium: Iron with inlaid silver and gold. 3 ¾" high by 3½ wide

Note: Colored text has only been used to demonstrate how content has been taken from the nameplate and copied to the PERSIA chart.  The text will be all black on each of your three namplates.

Note: The above PERSIA chart for this artifact could be further expanded by taking its "Social" commentary to develope an "Economic" entry.   For example, it is commonly thought that wealthy merchants would typically have passed over subtle design in favor of something more elaborate and presumably costly.  This added commentary could then be added to the above nameplate.  In short, the possibilities are endless.