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Tsuba Motif - hidden dragon?


jmoto

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You may be correct about the interpretation - you need some good imagination though. I found this one on https://www.nihonto.com/3-2-20/  

there are some common elements when you look side by side. Perhaps other people can find something closer. The 'head' of the dragon represented by the circle in the circle reminds me of the rain dragon heads. It could at a stretch be water drops splashing in a pond causing ripples?

close as I can find.jpgimage.thumb.png.eac478292288baff9831d22ffc46fe55.png

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The main motif looks like a bag (full with goods), the small sukashi could be either a Cintamani (wish fulfilling jewel), or a kukurizaru.

 

You can find a bag (fukuro) on several crests and the Cimantani (hōju) in countless scrolls. 

 

I have found one painting where Hotei (bag on his shoulders) is looking at a hōju jewel:

https://blogos-haha.blogspot.com/2019/08/wish-fulfilling-vases-of-void-continued.html

 

And here is a painting with a Cimantani (hōju):

https://www.schneiblefinearts.com/shop/Japanese-asian-fine-art/Japan-old-hoju-wish-granting-jewel-scroll-hand-painted-calligraphy-signed-2/

(disclosure: I am in no way associated with the seller of this painting)

 

Kukurizaru (photo from this blog: https://www.2aussietravellers.com/walking-kyoto-ryozen-kannon/)

 

kukurizaru.thumb.jpg.092e86a54c683aa1a72a9b217bb9e645.jpg

 

 

Fukuro kamon (picture stolen from Pinterest):

673352977_Fukurokamon.thumb.jpg.d6e2371b70ec898fd29ea03a3f59edde.jpg

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