Motifs, signature and more questions.

[GoldenDrachen]

Hello gentlemen

 

I did a little bit of shopping today and acquired 3 tsuba. As usual quite cheap.

All pictures are from auc description. That's all I have. 

1. This one I got to replace trashed tsuba on my Satsuma Rebellion sword.  Is the cherry blossom a Mon? I believe this cut through design called sukashi?

 

2. I believe we have here ship sails, masts. Is the design on the bottom represent mist? 

Can I also get help with the signature please?

 

3. I can't figure out a motif here. Bamboo leaves? Is the rim called fukurin?

 

 

Thank you in advance!

Vitaly 

[ROKUJURO]

Vitaly,

TSUBA no. 1: KO-SUKASHI (= small cut-outs) of KARABANA, not cherry (= SAKURA no HANA).

No. 2: HIROTOSHI. Ships sailing in the mist

No 3: first three photos upside-down. I think the design theme is pine needle and OMODAKA leaf  

[GoldenDrachen]

51 minutes ago, ROKUJURO said:

Vitaly,

TSUBA no. 1: KO-SUKASHI (= small cut-outs) of KARABANA, not cherry (= SAKURA no HANA).

No. 2: HIROTOSHI. Ships sailing in the mist

No 3: first three photos upside-down. I think the design theme is pine needle and OMODAKA leaf  

Hello Jean!

Thank you so much! This is very helpful information. 

 

Regards

Vitaly 

[MauroP]

I second what Jean said.
Your tsuba no. 1 shows a decoration in mixed technique: in-sukashi, kin-nunome-zōgan, nikubori and kōsuki-kebori. I'd say a Shōami piece. The flower reproduced in openwork should be kikyō - 桔梗 (Chinese bellflower).
The signature in your tsuba no. 2 should be 鈴木寛壽 - Suzuki Kanju.

[Spartancrest]

You are correct number 3 has a brass/ copper/ shibuichi [?] Fukurin. These are added either for extra strength, better decoration or in this case to help conceal a problem.  Fukurin can cover up problems on a rim but they can also end up causing problems when corrosion occurs under them.

[Bugyotsuji]

The middle one may be suggesting Suruga Bay with its ship sails, seen from Miho no Matsubara, the famous pine 'plains' of Miho. 三保松原

[GoldenDrachen]

Amazing! Another super educational discussion!!!

Thank you all very much!

@Spartancrest Dale, yes I have seen the damage, but decided to have this tsuba anyway. 

I also tried to do some reading on Omodaka motif.  It is a symbol of victory. Very often seen in Mon, fabric patterns etc.

 

 

[Bazza]

I have also read (ancient memory here) that the omodaka leaf reminded samurai of arrowheads, hence its popularity as a tsuba motif.

 

BaZZa.

[Spartancrest]

16 minutes ago, GoldenDrachen said:

Omodaka motif. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sagittaria

 

The Omodaka mon was popular among warriors because the arrowhead was also called in Japan kachi-gusa, which literally means "Victory plant".

[ROKUJURO]

For comparison: https://www.giuseppepiva.com/en/works/katchushi-tsuba-decorated-flowers