Tsuba Query

[kissakai]

Hi

I bought this from the NMB and it arrived today

I wanted to ask a question on the original post but I can't find it so I've taken a couple of quick photos

 

It was thought that the side ana may have been added late but they look original to be but I could well be wrong

Although not unusual I don't like it when the sukashi cuts through the design

 

Although someone added the oni image there are no horns

Unless I hear differently it will be called the Oni tsuba or something similar just because it sounds good

 

 

 

 

 

Grev

 

 

 

[Tanto54]

Dear Grev,

 

I don't think that the sukashi are Oni, and my guess is that it was added later.  My opinion about it being added later is based on the lack of symmetry in the top of the "head" part of each sukashi (if it were original, it would be more symmetrical with the ana) .  While I don't think that they are tigers either I think that would go much better with bamboo (Oni and Take (bamboo) are not a recognized motif but we often see Tora (tiger) and Take).

 

Regards,

George 

[kissakai]

Thanks George

I would guess you are right about sukashi being added later

Bamboo is better but oni is cooler. On the horns of a oni!

I will have a look in Legend in Japanese Art to see if I can find something suitable

 

 

Grev

[Guido]

The maedate next to the tsuba above is not an oni, but a shikami. They are easily distinguished by their horns. Oni have square heads with small, conical, stubby horns. The shikami has the face of a shishi, and the ears and horns of an oxen.