thutson

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

Dear members, I would be greatful for your opinion on this tsuba, it's signed Yanagawa Naomitsu who was the third generation master of the Yangawa school. This tsuba has different designs carved in kata-kiri bori on the omote and ura, which is unusual. The omote has a cloud dragon design and the ura a rice ears design. I don't know of any connection between cloud dragons and rice ears and I'm curious why different designs would be done on either side. Does anyone have any information or other examples? Cheers, Tom

Fantastic result, great job!

Such sad news, he was a wonderful man. My thoughts are with his family.

Dear Colin, I posted a topic some time ago regarding a near identical casting of this tsuba, which I also could not discern whether it was real or fake, but with help from the forum we identified the signs that I think proved it to be a very impressive modern fake. So I believe the tsuba you present here is also a modern cast from the same mould. Fakes have, unfortuantly, got this good! Best, Tom

Thank you both, most appreciated. In future I will try to provide better pictures. Regards, Tom

Hello, I recently picked up this tsuba and I'd be very grateful for any help translating the signature.

I would have to agree, looks to be a Nagoya-mono piece. Here is a link to a nice write up about them:

Interesting thread, Kiku is certianly a very popular theme for tsuba. Here is one of mine, a Ko-Kinko Yamagane Kiku-Gata tsuba with 28 petals, which dates to the mid Muromachi period. Tom

Beautiful workmanship, congrats on a lovely piece!

Dear Bob, Thank you for sharing so many wonderful pieces from your collection. It's been immensely enjoyable journey and I've learnt a lot. Best, Tom

I also have a tsuba with a hole in the seppa-dia, in case its useful, here's the thread. Best, Tom

Hello, The tsuba arrived yesterday, it has a good size and weight to it and I'm very happy with it in hand, please find a couple of pictures attached.

Lovely looking tsuba Peter, I have a tsuba along the same theme. The Takahashi No Mushimaro poem certainly seems to be the theme. I've read that the lonley cuckoo often calls in the dark of summer nights, the call is said to sound like someone calling "return home". I realise there is no moon on your tsuba but I have also read that the Japanese cuckoo is often shown flying across the face of the moon on a rainy night. This image signifies honor and advancement in status, and refers to the story of the samurai Yorimasa defeating the Nue. As Yorimasa was being awarded, a cuckoo flew overhead calling in the night.

Thanks Stephen, I'll post some pictures when I have it in hand.

Another tsuba signed Furukawa Genchin http://www.nihonto.us/LS017 FURUGAWA GENCHIN.htm

Amazing detective work @BIG Thanks @Ford Hallam for the dates, it's fascinating to think that Hokusai sketched his Manga from this tsuba. I wonder if any of his other sketches were also based on tsuba designs.

After following the auction I decided to pull the trigger and ended up winning the auction. It's such a charming tsuba with an unusual and fascinating theme, I'm excited to see it in hand and study it further.

Perhaps it's depicting a Bunraku show, which is traditional form of Japanese puppet theatre founded in Osaka around the early 17th century.

I thought I could see his arm behind the bag but actually when you zoom in its also patterned material so I think it is his sleeve after all. Colin, I like the idea of an entertainer with the little dansers being drawn out on a thread.

Ah yes well spotted, the bag has the same pattern as on his robe, but you're right it is some kind of bag. It's a fascinating mystery indeed, I'll see if I can find out anything else.

What a lovely little tsuba. It looks to me like the little figures are performing a Kenshibu dance; a traditional dance accompanied with a sword and fan, but as to why they are appearing from his sleeve I have no idea... I would love to learn more about it and thankyou for sharing Jeremy.

Grev is a true gent and a pleasure to do business with. My tsuba arrived well packaged and looks even better in hand than in the photos, I'm very happy with it!

What a wonderful tsuba, some very fine work indeed, congratulations Manuel!