Makara (elephant) tsuka ornament

[truelotus]

Hi

 

I recently got this koto tachi with so called "elephant" ornament on the handle ... upon seeing it, I believe this was a makara (mythical creature) with form of dragon equipped with elephant trunk

 

the problem is I cannot find any literature of such creature in Japanese mythology ... as the Japanese version of Makara (makatsu) is somehow depicted like a fish, and lack elephant trunk

 

similar creature is well known in asia .... but not in Japan

 

any thoughts ?? or perhaps I was mistaken and this was part of Spongebob Squarepants koshirae depicting Squidward tentacles ??

 

thanks in advance

 

Donny

[Guido]

I think it's an amaryū 雨龍, rain dragon.

[Baka Gaijin]

Could it be a Baku 獏 (Supernatural being that devours dreams and nightmares)?

 

Cheers

[Grey Doffin]

Can we see more of the sword and koshirae? Could be wrong but this doesn't look like Japanese work to me.

Grey

[Guido]

I did a quick Google search for 雨龍, and here are two (of many) results (龍 can also be written 竜):

[Gasam]

Hi!

 

This somewhat resembles a pair of menuki that is part of a handachi koshirae that I own. I have tried to find/google similarly themed menuki just because I have wondered what they are depicting. It could indeed be the same creature. Will post images tomorrow, have none now and today is busy times :-)

[Baka Gaijin]

I think you've nailed it Guido

[Gasam]

I think it's an amaryū 雨龍, rain dragon.

 

Well what do you know? An amaryū rain dragon it is!

 

Have wondered for so long what creature the menukis were depicting

[Jim Rogers]

I just noticed this on one of the Tsuba's I'm watching on eBay.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/380999134430?_t ... EBIDX%3AIT

[Tcat]

Some examples of what I think are rain dragons from my bits and bobs drawer, most of you have probably have seen many similar things; a jovial fellow on an old wari kogai:

and a higo kozuka, different artist and era but same subject I believe:

This one is no longer mine, but it's for sale and I know where to find it I think it is kaga work, I was always told they were rain dragons:

[truelotus]

woah !! thank you all ... this is overwhelming ... I did not expect it will be correctly known on 1st try ...

 

will now search more on the Amaryuu subject

 

I will post the sword on the nihonto forum as I need more information on the smith

 

once more, thank you very much ...

 

 

Donny

[Guido]

Here's a manjū netsuke (ivory, 19'th century) from my collection depicting a rain dragon:

[Guido]

I just noticed this on one of the Tsuba's I'm watching on eBay.

That's a namiryū 波龍, a dragon among waves.

[Guido]

Just popped up on the Aoi Art website: http://www.aoijapan.com/tsuba-mumeiunsigned-edo-akao. However, Mr. Tsuruta transcribes 雨龍 as unryū.

[Tcat]

Nice pics Guido. Have you acquired that tsuba?

[Guido]

No, just posted it as yet another example. I'm saving my money for the DTI :D.