Jump to content

Recommended Posts

Posted

Can someone help me identify the theme on this Tsuba. I have conflicting assessments that it is either showing the Fox’s Wedding or the legend of Hakuzosu?

 

thanks

IMG_3423.jpeg

IMG_3424.jpeg

IMG_3425.jpeg

Posted (edited)

Both might be possible but I would think the kitsune wedding would make more sense given the apparent presence of references to the annual harvest. If you look at the bottom right of the tsuba you'll see what appear to be rice bales. Inari are associated with the harvest generally, however this seems to link more closely with the kitsune no yomeiri theme as there is seemingly no harvest connection in the story of Hakuzosu.

 

The rice bales also double as a symbol of wealth and prosperity under the kokudaka system in which rice was traded as currency. Wealth and prosperity is typically something you would wish for a couple at their wedding, whilst it is something a buddhist monk might cast aside as a worldly attachment.

Edited by Jake6500

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...