When samurai warriors went into battle in 16th century Japan, their swords included a piece of hidden art. Within the "tsuba," the hand guard at the bottom of the blade, metal smiths carefully crafted beautiful and complex designs.⁠ ⁠ The @mfaboston has one of the largest collections of Japanese art in the country, including hundreds of tsubas. ⁠ ⁠ Recently, the museum collaborated with fine jewelry designer @monicarichkosann to create a collection of necklaces inspired by three tsuba designs, introducing ancient works of art back into the modern world. ⁠ Learn more about how the designer turned centuries-old sword art into jewelry at the link in bio. ⁠ ⁠ [Images: courtesy Monica Rich Kosann]