Vertical Centerline On Tsuba

[FlorianB]

Hello everybody,

maybe someone can sort out a problem that bothers me.

There are several Sukashi-Tsuba with an accentuated vertical centerline (some random examples assembled below).
Is there a particular idea in this design or was it just a kind of fashion in certain times?

Thanks,
Florian

 

[ROKUJURO]

Florian,

my opinion is that this feature is mainly found in TSUBA with a symmetrical design as sometimes seen in OWARI TSUBA. The centerline emphasizes the balance.

[Peter Bleed]

Because I am interested in tsuba that were informed or copied from European  bi-lobed guards, I have been marginally interested in this issue. Simple design symmetry might explain a lot here, but I think there may as well be some functional utility is knowing where the cutting center of a blade was. Guys were using these things in life or death situations so tat even very basic orientation information may have had practical value.

Peter

[seattle1]

Hello:

 It would seem to me to be the most certain way with a ji-sukashi tsuba to firmly tie the seppa-dai to the rest of the tsuba's structure, particularly if the ji-sukashi negative spaces are relatively large.

 Arnold F.

[John A Stuart]

Yes, I agree with both. The main attachments being top and bottom on the seppadai is the shortest span and thus the most stable, also while symmetry is not as predominate as in most classical western art, Japanese art does show this. John

[FlorianB]

Thank You for Your input - there’s something to think about.

Of course I recognized the purpose of a firm connection between seppa-dai and mimi, but it seemed too obvious in my eyes.

Often a pair of karigane or myoga can be seen instead so I considered a symbolic or other reason in this single beam.

Allow me one more question:

Years ago I was shown an alleged Muromachi-Tsuba with a centerline. However, the upper and the lower fillet were not exactly in line but slightly misplaced (alas, I have no picture so please refer to the simple sketch below).
That seemed unaesthetic to me. Was this Tsuba indeed of inferior make or wasn’t I able to appreciate an intentioned asymmetry?

Thanks again,
Florian

 

[Stephen]

Sorry for my ignorance on the subject, were they made before the introduction Christianity, your first pix impressed me as a line of crosses.

[ROKUJURO]

Florian,

I have the same feelings with this one:

[FlorianB]

Jean,

lovely Tsuba with wonderful movement!

 

I don’t recognize the design, maybe a weaving pattern, flash of lightning or modiefied manji, but it was clearly made intentionally.

Look at my sketch below You’ll see, that a vertical was held. Thus the general impression is slanting but not unstable.

 

Of course there are little variations, but this is acceptable  - possibly intentioned to create a more livley effect.

 

Florian