Kind of a "strange" looking tsuba

[Dan tsuba]

Hello all!

 

Here is an interesting tsuba that I saw.  I have not seen anything like this previously.  A “bell” shaped tsuba with a “hole” at the top of the bell and a “mask” at the bottom right.  Was it used as a necklace after it was no longer used on a blade?  It looks quite old and appears to have been mounted. 

 

It also appears to be a cast tsuba (or cast and hand worked?).  Only the omote has a design and the ura is “hollow” with no design.  A “strange” looking tsuba.  Raises questions like “who would use it”, “was it fitted just for display only (or intended for use)”, “how old is it”, “why only a motif on one side”, “is it a Namban type”, “are there any others out there”, and other questions.

 

Just an interesting piece (to me).  Thought I would post it for opinions and thoughts.

 

With respect,

Dan

 

[Spartancrest]

Temple bell are fairly common, one on auction now https://www.jauce.com/auction/k1019346842

no hole at the top and ura is just a plainer design of the omote.

https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/iron-tsuba-in-bell-form-depicting-kiyohime-wrappi-293-c-e068d26af7

No details of the ura but it does have a hole at the top.

 

https://br.pinterest.com/pin/650910952377735943/  also no ura view but it appears wan-gata [cupped shape ]

 

http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/collection/7/10237/10401

Numerous rimmed designs as well.

 

one here with bell and mask https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/14758/lot/205/ The guard itself is not bell shaped obviously.

 

 

[Spartancrest]

A 'bell' just listed - strange off-centre. https://www.jauce.com/auction/h1058081022

[Toryu2020]

Why? because straight is boring?

[Bob M.]

Maybe a sounding bell , having just been struck.

[Dan tsuba]

Hello all!

 

Wow Bob, great “outside of the box” thinking.  I couldn’t see that “sounding bell” before.  And now, since your post, I can’t unsee it!  Well done!  Again, just my opinion.

 

With respect,

Dan

[Bugyotsuji]

A friend showed me one of these bells in a circle Tsuba and pointed out the number of knobbles on the outside of the bell, with a photo copy of its provenance. The price was around US $10,000+ as I recall.

[Spartancrest]

Some more 'bells' without rims from the V&A - a curiously information lacking museum.

And the earlier post - is there a hidden face on the lower right of the bell? Or do I have an over active imagination?

 

[Spartancrest]

   I think I paid too much? Shoami Yoshihisa 32,000 yen.

[Jesta]

Are there any indications of some of the bells having had rims previously? Seems possible that they might have had the rims removed to make them more unusual.

[Spartancrest]

A rim would fit on the latest but I don't think it was made with one - the top section would show a lot of alteration or rim "scar" 

[MauroP]

Hi Dale, nice tsuba, but I don't think it depictsa bell. Here another tsuba depicting 高台 - takadai, a kind of raised holder.

 

[Spartancrest]

You are likely correct Mauro - I have two others like a display table.