Is this Mon a Kamon (symbol with meaning) or just a decoration.

[2devnul]

Hi everyone,

 

I was doing research for months but without luck. Maybe someone on forum could share some new information or thoughts. 

What do you think about mon on this tsuba. It is similar to some clan/family Kamons, but not exactly the same. I asked the dealer and Shogo (famous Japanese culture youtuber) about it, they don't recognize it either. Is it just decoration type of mon, without any meaning? 

Any comments or ideas? Any chance it is related to a clan? Tsuba is from late Edo period. It isn't signed unfortunately. 

 

 

[Bugyotsuji]

Adam, if the artisan had cut that out any further, the central square would have fallen out, so it is part design and part practical.

Check out the background to the 釘抜き 家紋 Kugi-nuki Kamon, and the meanings of Kugi/Ku-ki, etc., and why it might be a nice martial symbol to have anyway. 

[SteveM]

Yes, I think its just overlapping squares, represented as best as possible given the medium. Also, check out the below

 

Called "chigaikaku" at this site.

https://irohakamon.c...kaku/chigaikaku.html

 

Another tsuba with this mon. Called "shige-masu" at the site below. The addition of the line that forms the border of this design makes it easily identifiable, whereas your is just the cut out spaces in sukashi (with no defined border), so yours looks a bit more abstract. 

https://blog.goo.ne....255cc70f2bac872eb7c9

 

Anyway, that's my take. 

 

 

 

all credits to the site's owner. 

[Spartancrest]

This might be a longshot but it does look like this Kabuki actor's motif?

[2devnul]

Hello,

 

Thank you very much gentlemen for your help. It appears that Mon is a possible variation of "chigai-kaku" as mentioned. That specific Kamon was used by Aso clan which was present starting beginning of XIX century (late Edo). Still some research needs to be done, but that is a good lead.  

 

One of leaving descendants of Aso clan is Princess Tomohito. 

https://en.m.wikiped...s_Tomohito_of_Mikasa  

 

Following Wikipedia: She is the third daughter and youngest child of Takakichi Asō (麻生太賀吉, Asō Takakichi, 1911–1980), the chairman of the Asō Company 

Aso clan evolved into company, and guess how Aso company logo looks like:

[SteveM]

Here's another one I ran across. 

https://eirakudo.sho...D=1&classby=Category

 

[Spartancrest]

Menuki - I am not sure if this pattern may mean "Kakine"    #   a sacred border.

https://world.seiyud...m/product/me-081223/

 

Fuchi -  https://www.jauce.com/auction/m1124742393

 

[uwe]

Dale,

 

your examples are rather depicting “井桁” (igeta = well frames)!

[2devnul]

12 hours ago, SteveM said:

Here's another one I ran across. 

https://eirakudo.sho...D=1&classby=Category

Both examples definitely look like Aso clan Kamon. It would be great if the pattern on my Tsuba is a variation of it (proves that Tsuba was made for Samurai). I will keep digging. Thanks! 

 

11 hours ago, Spartancrest said:

Menuki - I am not sure if this pattern may mean "Kakine"    #   a sacred border.

https://world.seiyud...m/product/me-081223/

Fuchi -  https://www.jauce.com/auction/m1124742393

 

I don't think this is it. But thanks for sharing and all the research/help! 

 

4 hours ago, uwe said:

Dale,

 

your examples are rather depicting “井桁” (igeta = well frames)!

+1 to that.