Spartancrest

Seeing things once or twice is usual, but when they show up in numbers you have to wonder? From Henri Joly's image [1908] these are not a new phenomena, though the first examples paint job looks new! Anyone got any more images of this design?

one of mine by Munenaga, Iwamoto school - I think 8th generation?

I am guessing it is not the pattern like these?

Alban a Woodblock to add to your collection. Battle of Dan-no-ura. You will notice the type of low sided ship. https://wasenmodeler.com/resources/glossary-of-Japanese-boat-terms/

The features are hard to see, not great quality, hitsu cut in later [really hate the lighting] https://www.ebay.com/itm/294849989720

Another variant some elements changed around but related to the fourth guard in the original post. https://www.jauce.com/auction/d1063676067

They sure made a few of this design - https://www.jauce.com/auction/g1055737662 One that got away https://www.jauce.com/auction/b1060869808 will find its home with Steves87. In we hope, a short time.

Just for fun I bought a 'pole, ropes and bucket' tsuba - see what you have done Grev! The one I purchased makes four of them that I know of - One being in the Cleveland Art Museum, I am certain they are all cast and possibly reworked to varying degrees. Facinating variation in cost - I can now say I have a 'museum worthy' piece [not] Still looking for that elusive first test piece!

Malcolm there is another contender for your tsuba image. Monju Bosatsu https://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/monju.shtml and he does ride a Shishi. "Shishi: They are usually associated with rocks, waterfalls and peonies. On such a lion rides Monju Bosatsu, whilst the same creature crouches at the feet of the “Sennin with the Shishi.” Legend has it that the shishis tested the vitality of their progeny by throwing the young ones from the top of a cliff ( shishi no saka otoshi ). Should the animal survive it was certain to live long." from Henri Joly's "LEGEND IN Japanese ART" P.162

A nice Heianjo one with a sukashi mon - a little bit of both with some nice inlay as well. https://www.jauce.com/auction/e1055697146

A translation of the above mei comes back as 美春作 Yoshiharu saku. But the second character 春 does not look correct. Is it just the kanji style or has Google gone on holiday again? Any help for a kanji challenged collector is welcome.

Mauel, there is a 'daisho' in great condition here- https://www.jauce.com/auction/m1061687572 But would two different ships make up a daisho? Suppose so they are signed by the same maker.

Love the look of that one Roger - the new inserts should darken up with time, I can't see anything wrong putting back what was there 'originally' they were altered all the time in the past. Just my opinion.

Good one Thomas! I know they are tea whisks but they remind me of this. Yum

Roger have you checked this thread? Your top guard is very similar in design - especially to one of mine but yours has that something extra with "Amida Yasuri" symbol of the Buddha's aura.

Walters Art Museum one by Tsuchiya Yasuchika (1670-1744)

What are the thoughts on this one - banana or some other plant? What a difference when the lighting is varied. Nunome close up

I think the 'Shishi ' is a badly done tiger. HOKEN ZENSHI (also Bukan Zenshi) the Taoist Rishi, Feng Kan. Shown riding upon, or sleeping near a tiger, or in company with the two mad Sennins, Hanzan (Kanzan) and Jittoicu (Shi Te) From Henri Joly's LEGEND IN Japanese ART 1908 See MFA - https://collections.mfa.org/objects/12075 https://nihonto.com.au/product/yasuchika-tiger-and-monk-tsuba/ Like you say Shoki rides a Shishi

Bruno, I might have to go into collecting just the signatures! I don't think I have seen the same one twice!

Ships and the sea - you would expect a bit of corrosion. I wonder if there are any in soft metal? Or exclusively made in iron?

Hi Manuel have you seen this? https://www.jauce.com/auction/q1062696566 Also see https://www.jauce.com/auction/h1062683610

Well Mauro - we know not to accept any signed cheques with that set of signatures - he could be anyone! What is really annoying is these major museums don't give any lineage or real dates, I suppose they accept what the gift giver says and leave it at that. You are probably correct thinking they must have got bored doing the same design over and over - still they are pretty nice work and imagine the fights if there was only one to choose from.

I am intrigued by four 'identical' tsuba held in three separate museums all claiming their pieces are signed by Bairyūken Kiyotatsu. From what I see there are four distinct mei some with 'kao' or seals, some with totally different styles of kanji but the design of the guard is almost a carbon copy. Did this maker change his signature when he changed his underwear? Make that Five - this image from a now deleted Wikipedia post.

This is an unusual case of the Aoi and screen being the secondary depiction on the ura side. Found in the Walters Art Museum. 51.129 "Tsuba with a Hanging Bouquet ("Kusudama")" 2 7/16 x 2 x 3/16 in. (6.17 x 5.04 x 0.4 cm) Ichijuken Teruaki. - Kato Teruaki (active ca. 1858-1861) 一壽軒　英明

This one might be a long shot! A Kendo medal described as a 'Carp' but if that is a carp it is the strangest ugliest one on record! Is it just me or is there a suggestion of Bart Simpson in there?