Itomaki Gata, (Vertical Spindle Shape Tsuba), Historical Examples ???

[cluckdaddy76]

Here is one from my collection that resembles Dale’s last photo.  

[Barrett Hiebert]

John To and cluckdaddy 76,

 

Thank you for the explanation John To and pictures. Very interesting.

 

Thank you cluckdaddy 76 as well for the picture.

 

I also did find this itomaki gata style tsuba on this Aoi Art Wakizashi.

 

Check it out. : D

 

Link to check out the entirety of the blade below.

 

https://www.aoijapan.com/wakizashi-bizen-koku-ju-osafune-sakyoshin-munemitsu-dated-august-1501-bunki-1-nbthk-hozon-token/

 

Best regards,

 

Barrett Hiebert

[ROKUJURO]

Barrett, 

I wonder if the above TSUBA shape would really be called ITOMAKI-GATA. In my imagination, it is more like "4 FUJI SAN" or "4 mountains", but I don't know. 

Looking forward to hearing the opinions of more knowledgeable members!

[Barrett Hiebert]

Jean,

 

I don't know either.

 

I am not familiar with Fuji San style tsuba.

 

(Shrugs).

 

Barrett

 

 

[ROKUJURO]

I thought of something like this:

[Barrett Hiebert]

Jean,

 

That makes sense. Thank you for the picture.

 

Best regards,

 

Barrett Hiebert

[Bugyotsuji]

Reminds me of this ‘bamboo’ netsuke (made of ivory) with the Fushi joint in the design of Mt Fuji. 
I think this is a wordplay on Fushi and Fuji, talismanic, Fuji (不死 Fushi) meaning ‘eternal life’.

[Spartancrest]

  Title: Yotsu Fuji   

Description
 An Iron Tsuba mountain shape four corners with Kozuka & Kougai holes

 This kind of four corner shape is called “Yotsu Fuji” in Japanese. 

[ROKUJURO]

Thank you Dale!

I knew/hoped you would find one like that!

[Barrett Hiebert]

Dale,

 

Thank you for the picture and description.

 

I stand corrected.

 

I also enjoy that type of tsuba.

 

It just looks like a variation of this tsuba shown in this thread earlier, to be honest.

 

Best regards,

 

Barrett Hiebert

[Spartancrest]

  Yotsu Fuji       ?

 

 What to make of this one - not Itomaki-gata but I don't think it represents Fuji-san either [the sides are flat not curved]?

 

  And this?

[ROKUJURO]

Perhaps not all TSUBA makers were strictly following a design system.

[Steves87]

Just want to re-point out this one that Dale posted.... this one is a masterpiece of thought....

 

[Spartancrest]

Steve that one is from an auction of ten back in 2013 - https://www.bonhams.com/auction/21106/lot/202/ten-various-iron-tsuba-17th-to-18th-century/ information is very limited "another of lozenge form carved with mokume" - doesn't say much for such a nice piece

[ROKUJURO]

John,

referring a bit late to your post of December 1st, when you posted an altered TSUBA with ITOMAKI design.

I had a look in my collection on these calm days and found perhaps what you were thinking of: