Buckle or very large menuki?

[shakudo]

Hi members,

Just opened my parcel from Japan and exceptionally pleased with my purchase. I have included the cover page of the auction with sellers discription? No mei was pictured bit on closer examination I found a solitary character on the side which I have found a common place. Im away from my books at present so unable to make a start on translation and thought that maybe a member may know this kanji? 

Ill put a post in Translation needed aswell to see what we have!

Thank you in anticipation,

Mike.

[John C]

With those two attachment points, it looks a bit like a maekanagu (clasp for a tabako-ire).

 

John C.

[Charlie C]

Hi Mike,

 

It looks like a 花押(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huaya) to me, not a name written in Chinese characters. The back clearly indicates that it was used as a buckle, but also could be made as a very large menuki first then transformed into a buckle. Still, this type of large menuki was only made from the end of the Edo era onward.

 

C. C.

[Spartancrest]

Buckle or Obidome?

[Scogg]

Hard to tell how large or small it is. 
 

I was thinking obidome, too. I once bought an item listed as an obidome that turned out to be a repurposed kashira

 

https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/46031-shakudo-nanako-obidome/

 

[shakudo]

Many thanks for your replies. Felt it was far to large for a menuki so had to be a buckle! Really interested in the kanji though- I purchased it for the work but surprised to find kanji, also that the seller didnt utilise in description! My guess is late 18thC due to its condition- hasnt seen any wear as no rubbing or scratches!

Many thanks one and all!

[Bugyotsuji]

What is an Obidome?

 

what is an obidome - 検索

[Spartancrest]

[Jack Zacao]

it is an obidome, impractical to use as menuki, i have seen menuki as long but never this tall. the character is a kao, but i can’t tell whose it is. seems to be mito school, the description is correct in that. below is an example from a Mito school as well, note the last charator , a similar Kao

https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/A_1951-1114-41

[shakudo]

Hi Jack, great info but no graphics on link- only on phone sadly! Can you send pic maybe? Thanks for stopping by! Mike

[shakudo]

Hi all,

Many thanks for syopping by, good info to follow up woth when I unpack my books!

Als Jack, finally found image, apologies hadnt navigate Brit museum sight before so still learning and I agree the last character is very close- thank you so much.

Happy, merry Festive season to , stay healthy!

Cheers

Mike