Kurikata

I have tried Chatgpt to decypher this poem and the result is really amazing: I clearly identified the Japanese characters engraved on the metal object. Here is a transcription and explanation: Transcription (romanji) Hōrai no yama no hotori no sumiregusa yoso no hanayori utsukushikeri Explanation in English It's a waka (a classic Japanese poem of 31 syllables in 5-7-5-7-7). • Hōrai (蓬莱): a legendary mountain in Chinese and Japanese mythology, associated with immortality and paradise. • yama no hotori (山のほとり): at the foot of the mountain. • sumiregusa (すみれ草): violets (flowers). • yoso no hana yori (よその花より): more than other flowers. • utsukushikeri (美しけり): they are beautiful. 👉 The overall meaning of the poem: "The violets that grow at the foot of Mount Hōrai are more beautiful than all other flowers." This type of poem combines nature and spiritual symbolism (here, the mythical Mount Hōrai → paradise, and the violet → simplicity and beauty).

My birds....

+1 Classical Soten school tsuba.

Hi, This tsubako is referenced H01821.0. I hope it helps even if few information is related to him.

These two tsuba would have been based in continental Europe, no doubt that they would have encountered a new home (mine). Two very nice pieces at a very reasonnable price. People questionning if Ebay is the place to buy tosogu should consider Steve's proposal.

Thank you very much Piers ! You were fast! Happy to learn that it was made in Kyoto. I' ll make my research on the manufacturing company.

Hi, Does someone recognize the name of the manufacturing company which produced this bronze plant holder ? Thank you in advance

Another more recent thread with plenty of weird nakago ana , the vas majority of them found by Dale (@ Spartancrest):

Thank you Dale! Yes indeed , it is a very specific tsuba for a very specific polearm... let us discover what kind of yari will fit it ! As a matter of fact such unusual nakago ana have been discussed in this thread:

Never seen such an umbrella. Should you have pictures of such an umbrella, i would learn something new on an every day usage of tsuba.

Yes indeed! It was probably mounted for a pole arm. Thank you for your kind words....

Coming back to the main topic, one of my tsuba where the copper insert intends to repair the damages done to the nakago ana to fit a new blade.

These tsuba with a basket backround are typical of shoami school. Please find herewith a good exemple:http://ricecracker.com/inventory/822_tsuba_higo_basketweave/822_tsuba_basketweave.html

https://www.zacke.at/auction/lot/lot-58---a-fine-silvered-iron-tsuba-with-autumnal-flowers/?lot=75950&so=0&st=&sto=0&au=143&ef=&et=&ic=False&sd=1&pp=96&pn=1&g=1

A lot of information in this thread: