A Iron Tsuba With Clouds - What Motif?

[vajo]

Maybe someone can help me with this tsuba.

I bought this iron tsuba a year ago from a honorable member here and we didn't have any idea about the motif. 

 

There are clouds on it, yes. But what are these silver iron claws coming out of the clouds (dreameater)? 

 

The tsuba is very nice in hand. There are some gold (dot) applications on it but it didn't came out on the picture.

 

Thanks for watching.

 

Regards

Chris

 

[Stephen]

my guess is dragon in clouds, a theme im starting to collect, with a more pronounced dragon of course.   

[Ford Hallam]

a more pronounced dragon....D R AAA GG OOO NN E.

[vajo]

Haha.. . but where is the Dragon :-)

[kissakai]

Are we chasing the dragon?

[Stephen]

 Its in the clouds Dag gone it

[vajo]

wow chasing the dragon.. knowing its there but never seen

[MauroP]

A dragon in clouds - a dragon of clouds !?

 

[Stephen]

those with eyes can see 

[Ian B3HR2UH]

What an interesting piece. I don't have Mauro's computer skills to draw it but I saw the dragons eye as being the gold coloured dot near the top right. Ian Brooks

[Tanto54]

Here's a similar motif on Aoi website:

 

[christianmalterre]

male dragon actually not visible due having fun with female dragon...

(or would you show what mom and dad do behind the curtain?)

LOL!

[vajo]

Thanks all.

 

Mauro i see now the dragon with a view. Great help thanks.

 

Chris

[johnnyi]

Quote by Glaser reprinted in, "The Animal In Far Eastern Art"  by T Volker. 

 

"Earth and water are embodied in Tiger and Dragon. The threatening violence of terrestrial powers in the giant beast of prey prowling, hunched ready for its spring; the elusive element of water, present everywhere, which ascends in mist and lies curled in the clouds, falling down upon the earth with lightning and thunder, in the fabulous monster to which human fancy has given the form of the dragon.

 

Another interesting passage from Volker's book...

 

"To see the body of a Dragon in its entirety was thought to expose oneself to certain death, the punishment for looking upon too much divinity: the eating off the tree  of knowledge."

 

 

 

John I

[CHEN CHEN]

My dragon looks clearer!  

 

[Stephen]

NLR

[MauroP]

The style of Chris tsuba seems more akin to the Higo style.