One happy collector

[kissakai]

I bought this tsuba from a NMB member, Christopher Klojer

As I was delighted to own this tsuba and I wanted to share this with other NMB members

I always wanted a true sukashi ito tsuba as many are wider gaps that have the edges 'rolled' over

I checked the cutouts under a medical microscope and can find no indication that these are 'rolled' edges

I sent some images to Bob Haynes and he filled in the gaps in my description

 

Details

Mito in the province of Hitachi. Sugiyama School?

Signature: Mito 水戸 Ju 住 Tomohisa 節 久 Saku 作 Haynes H09909

Period: Ca 1800

Style: Sukashi. Ito sukashi Ito. The width is approx 0.16mm

Subject: Legend of the fox (kitsune) and vine although examples show this as a squirrel

Size: 74 x 71 x 5.4 mm

 

 

 

Shown illuminated from the rear

 

 

 

Grev UK

[Higo-san]

I was really happy when I read the name of your topic, Grev!

 

I am still thinking about the scene shown on this beautiful tsuba; the legend about the fox and the grapes (vine) is quite well known at least in some parts of the western world (I myself grew up with this story in my childhood). But I am still wondering whether this legend made it's way to Japan (together with other nanban influences) or if it was even the other way round...

 

Nevertheless, all the best for you and your new tsuba!

 

Chris

[pcfarrar]

From J Gilbert's website:

 

Q: Is there a story behind the squirrel and grapes motif?

 

A: I don't know of any textual reference, but squirrel and grapes is a very common kodogu motif. People in the US often mistake the squirrel for a fox. I can understand that, since Aesop’s fable of the fox and grapes is more familiar in the West.

 

The squirrel and grapes motif probably entered Japan in the Nara period by way of Tang China via the silk road. It may have originated in Greece. It’s a popular decorative motif, but has additional connotations for sword fittings. The squirrel and grapes motif is a visual pun for perfection in military achievements. The Japanese word for grape is budo, and that is of course a homonym for "way of the martial arts." The word for squirrel, rizo, is also a homonym with the kanji that mean something like "setting high ideals." Once you figure that out, it's pretty easy to understand why it was such a popular "picture." It was very common in late Muromachi - Momoyama Heianjo zogan work and remained popular at various times through the Edo period.

[Higo-san]

Thanks for the citation, Peter.

 

The meaning of the Chinese/Japanese version seems completely different than the idea of the ancient version by Aesop (since a squirrel can easily reach the grapes while they would remain out of reach for the fox). Therefore the similarity may well be a mere coincedence.

 

Best,

 

Chris

[kissakai]

Hi Some really nice replies

I especially like Peters information:

The Japanese word for grape is budo, "way of the martial arts" and the word for squirrel, rizo, is something like "setting high ideals."

 

I was told the he fox is quite an arrogant creature and loves grapes but can not reach them

When asked why he didn't eat the grapes rather than admit defeat he said he didn't want them!

As this is the same as Aesop's story so I prefer Peters description.

 

The more tails a kitsune has—they may have as many as nine—the older, wiser, and more powerful it is

 

Maybe there are other interpretations so you pay your money and take your chance.

 

 

Grev UK

[cabowen]

From J Gilbert's website:

 

...The word for squirrel, rizo, is also a homonym with the kanji that mean something like "setting high ideals."

 

Just to set the record straight, the word for　squirrel is risu....栗鼠

[kissakai]

Do the grapes signify anything?

In Europe they would denote a full harvest or bounty but I would think this will not translate into Japanese ideology

 

 

Grev UK