Tsuba design, characters and schools

[kissakai]

Hi

I'd like some help/advice on the following tsuba:

 

I have found some discrepancies with these tsuba and some images I can’t find

As there are quite a few I was tempted to split them up into different topics but decided to group them together

 

1

Chinese character SHU?

If it is shu why is this used on quite a few Namban tsuba?

 

 

 

2

Chinese character SHU variation?

Obviously different from No 1 so it may be something else

 

 

 

3

Unknown Chinese character. I can’t find this character and as it is on another Namban tsuba I’m assuming it to be Chinese

 

 

 

4

Kanji for NOH or Chinese SHU

The same tsuba was described as both Noh and SHU!

 

 

 

5

Design for ferns fronds or fungi (ruyi heads)

Looking over a few similar tsuba shapes they seem to be described as either

Are there any specific characteristics to define which is which?

 

 

 

6

Unknown design/shapes

Any help would be appreciated

 

 

 

7

Rinzu (lightening)

Another common design but annoyingly it is not in Hawleys mon but is in the original Japanese publication and I can’t read Japanese. I can scan in the page but will not have access to a scanner for the next few days

 

 

 

8

Unknown flower

Was described as a pawlonia but this must be wrong

Mei: Echizen ju Kinai saku

 

 

 

9 and 10

One described as Higo school and the other as Bushu school

With these tsuba being almost identical I would not have thought they were from different schools

Which one is it likely to be?

 

9

Higo school

 

 

10

Bushu school

 

 

 

Grev UK

[mywei]

The kanji in #3 is the one for 'dragon'

[Surfson]

Grev, I can't help you with your questions (though one of the dragons looks like a rain dragon to me), but would like to say that this is a nice collection of tsuba!

[kissakai]

Hi

With only two replies I just hope I did not upset anyone by posting Ford Hallams tsuba without an attribution

I know all input is voluntary so I understand it's just pot luck who sees a thread and responds to it

 

My findings so far:

 

I've looked on various Chinese websites but still have no idea what No 1 and No 2 are

Thanks to Matt for letting me know No 3 was dragon (at least one query solved) and Robert for the suggestion of a rain dragon, I'll look into this type of dragon

 

No4. Is Japanese evidently in Sosho script. I do not think this to be 'Noh'

 

No5. Looking into this I think I can state that fern fronds are just a plain 'curl' but can't find any diagrammes/mon for 'ruyi heads'

 

No6. I think are two hats but no idea of the two otther shapes

 

No7. I was wrong in thinking this to be a common shape otherwise I'm sure someone would have replied

 

No8. Maybe this is a pawlonia!

 

No's 9/10. Must be Higo from some examples I've found on the web

 

Obviously any input will help me

Grev UK

[John A Stuart]

For #'s 1,2 and 3 you need a seal book. Examples below. John

[kissakai]

Thanks John

At least I know what to look for

 

 

Grev UK

[Marius]

6, 7 and 8 - please look into Japanese familiy crests:

 

6 has suhama and a variation of bishi (don't know which).

 

7 has a crane, sangaibishi (NOT lightning), and paulownia. All are crests.

 

8 tsuta (sort of ivy)

[kissakai]

Many thanks to all those that replied

Pretty well finally sorted by Mariusz either with a suggestion or very good pointer in the right direction

 

Assuming I can do this I will repost with just the one image and a new one about an usual mei

 

 

Grev UK