thutson

Thank you gentlemen, I appreciate your help. Mauro, here's the only picture of the other side of the hakogaki I currently have. I will post a better one when I have the piece in hand. Best, Tom

Dear all, I would be most grateful if someone could help translate the mei on this tsuba and the calligraphy on the box lid. Regards, Tom

It also looks modern in my opinion, but a nice and well executed piece.

I have a brass-inlaid Heianjo tsuba with very similar shaped hitsu.

Here is the favourite bird-themed tosogu from my collection: a tsuba by Watanaba Issei. It depicts the southward migration of geese in the autumn months and their return to Japan in the eighth lunar month known as “Kanaraigetsu”. As the geese migrate south from their summer visit to Siberia they inspire thoughts of the coming winter, but also give a strong feeling towards the Japanese spirit. I fully appreciate how especially during times of change and uncertainly that this yearly event brings a sense of unity and national pride. The importance of geese in Japanese art was further secured by stories of several military heroes who had achieved victory in battle when a sudden breaking of ranks by flying geese signaled an ambush. This protective role of the birds led to their frequent use in decorating tosogu. I particularly like the detailed carving of the geese on the omote and the snow on the reeds; you can see them buckle under the weight. On the ura the imprints of the geese's feet in the snow are very charming, as well as the sekigane which is made to look like snowfall, a lovely touch.

I recently picked up this lovely tsuba signed Tatsutoshi. Three Minogame are carved with beautiful detail, these are turtles from Japanese folklore that are said to live up to 10,000 years old and have long strands of algae growing from their shells, which resembles a straw raincoat—or mino—from which they get their name. Best, Tom

I have an Ichijo shakudo tsuba where the nakago-ana has been completely retro-fitted, probably some time after initial manufacture. You can see in the angled pictures that the alloy used is a slightly different colour than the black/blue of the tsuba. It's an extreme conversion and shows that the piece was important to someone but as to why it was done, your guess is as good as mine. Best, Tom

Congrats, it looks like an authentic tsuba and I like the design showing an ear of rice with gold highlights. Looks like work by the Bushu school, I have a similar tsuba with gold highlighted water drops.

Looks to be an authentic tsuba and not a modern cast copy. I agree with Jean, it doesnt look like typical Soten school work.

I would second the idea that it depicts mist rather than a flood, although I can't explain the angle of the Toriii, which looks very odd. Best, Tom

Thanks Okan, wonderful workmanship, a beautiful set of f/k.

They are adorable, I would love to see some close up pics. Thanks for sharing!

Happy to see you back Dale

Hello Hamfish, Yes it was a recent purchase on Jauce.

Thank you both for your help, I appreciate it.

Dear all, I would be most grateful if someone could help translate the mei on this tsuba, I believe it says Hashimoto. Many thanks, Tom

Enjoying this thread a lot, some wonderiful pieces on show. Two more from me: Akasaka Musashino sukashi tsuba showing pampas grass with dew drops and another with a Yatsuhashi and Iris design in sukashi.

Here's one from my collection, lilys from the Choshu school.

Hello Mark, I'm afraid to my eye this has all the hallmarks of being a modern cast.

Exactly... the fuchi and kashira are matching with 7 sages in total and you can see they are all in a bamboo grove. Best, Tom

Hi Paul, The fuchi depict the Seven Sages of Bamboo Grove, which is a fairly popular theme: https://en.wikipedia..._of_the_Bamboo_Grove The menuki are more difficult to make out, but seem to show dragons chasing a pearl in the waves. Hope that helps. Tom

I've got broken fans to add.

Turtles and catfish tsuba

Colin, I love your Kingfisher tsuba, wonderful piece.

Thank you for your replies. Yoon, I hadn't thought about that, dragons are indeed associated with brining rain, so that could well be the link to the ears of rice on the ura. Dale and Jake, thanks for the links to the similar style tsuba. On these tsuba the designs are more classic and matched on the omote and ura; Tiger and bamboo grove or Shishi lion and peonys flowers. I have not seen a dragon paired with ears of rice before on a tsuba. Or as Yoon has pointed out, perhaps the link between the two sides is that the dragon brings the rain for a good rice crop. Keen to see any other examples of this design paired togehter or of tsuba with un-matched designs on the omote and ura. Cheers, Tom