Mantis tsuba with inlay. Opinions on strange feature.

[Matsunoki]

This is the last one from a small batch of iron tsuba that tempted me. It’s largeish at 7.9cm and has a beautifully fitted shakudo rim and with inlay in shakudo and gold of bush clover. 
It was the striking sukashi Mantis that caught my attention but closer inspection of the reverse appears to reveal the remains of Amida rays especially down the left side.

Any ideas…..could this be reworked older plate that once just had Amida rays?

Did that happen?

Thanks for looking. 
All the best

[FlorianB]

Absolutley. Many iron plates with a more or less simple design have been pimped up with soft metals.

Very attractive combination, though purists will shudder.

 

Here's another piece of a fellow collector:

[Matsunoki]

@FlorianB

Thank you for posting that excellent example. Now I know what was done I’ll see what else I can find. I think it’s quite interesting to see how things get changed as fashions change. 
Could this have been happening in early Meiji to increase the price to Gaijin or was it an Edo thing?

 

 
 

[Mantis dude]

I do know that the mantis design is older.  I can't remember if I saw that one or another one but decided against buying it.  Here is a more basic example possibly 16th or 17th century.  

[Bugyotsuji]

Even without portrayal of the approaching chariot wheel, the mantis has long stood for bravery against the odds.

Recently I picked up an irresistible small bronze jizai okimono of a mantis. What a great theme for a tsuba though! 
 

PS Mentioned before, but there is an island off the west coast of Honshu where they have been recorded trapping and eating migratory birds.

[FlorianB]

On 7/2/2026 at 5:02 PM, Matsunoki said:

Could this have been happening in early Meiji to increase the price to Gaijin or was it an Edo thing?

Both. There are a lot of Edo pieces which were adapted to changing taste, but also embellished pieces for foreigners.

Difficult to distinguish, but at least the quality counts. And Yours is nicely done – enjoy it!

[Bugyotsuji]

Bush clover is Hagi 萩 and it seems to have been a favourite theme among the Kinko artisans in the Chōshū, Hagi 萩 area, being a play on words. To summarize, it is often an indication of origin.

[Matsunoki]

1 hour ago, FlorianB said:

And Yours is nicely done – enjoy it!

Thank you!