Unusual Yoshioka school tsuba

[Jesta]

I recently saw this one on Jauce (here: https://www.jauce.com/auction/p1236809576 )

 

Does anyone know if this design was common? A reverse image search doesn’t turn up any examples that I can see, and it is the first one that I have come across.  

[FlorianB]

Though very abstract I think it should be kukurizaru or hanging monkeys, a a small fabric talisman tied to one's hands and feet.

They symbolize self-restraint and control over one's own desires.

 

[Jesta]

Thanks Florian. Very interesting, and your suggestion makes a lot of sense.  

 

I was also wondering about the design of the tsuba itself. The shape is also unusual. 

[Spartancrest]

The shape is very similar to a "Fundo" design with the side rings removed - it makes sense to remove them from a small tanto size guard but this is larger and shows no sign any rings have been deleted..

                     

Edited July 16 by Spartancrest
More images

[Jesta]

Thanks Dale, as always. The shape almost moves the tsuba into the realm of a cross guard. 

[Bugyotsuji]

Fundo and star constellation mixes crop up frequently in the Sendai area.
For the Kamon itself try also crescent moon with star:

真向かい三日月に星　家紋

https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&hs=BeGq&sca_esv=5fbeaf94ea03b9d5&hl=en-gb&q=三日月+月に星家紋&uds=AJ5uw1_a2D0D09lxm8gpKKOTUn4rTeVlh13PVwUUMwhfNLG9qd3HPJ3jizLVbfitdzTdAw3vWGx3TAZealAG-p-7kyYbGYENWdkmxxppLruhbBLxLUeBK7GqDLf3SS8G4epn7g1BdyZ_aVMCFFdkLaYiTKXYE0FPA-OiW-VPBwd23b8QVzvRUso&udm=2&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjh7bCE29aVAxW9Z0EAHWotH9IQxKsJKAF6BAgNEAE&ictx=0&biw=390&bih=699&dpr=3#sv=CAMSVxoyKhBlLVN0RTE4c2FaWWpqYWdNMg5TdEUxOHNhWllqamFnTToOT1JGbzNzMG8xcHBMZk0gBCoXCgFzEhBlLVN0RTE4c2FaWWpqYWdNGAEwAUoECAEQAhgHIOSU3tQDSggQAhgBIAIoAQ

 

e.g.

[Teimei]

2 hours ago, Jesta said:

Thanks Florian. Very interesting, and your suggestion makes a lot of sense.  

 

I was also wondering about the design of the tsuba itself. The shape is also unusual. 

Some Efu Tachi Koshirae use similar Tsuba. 

 

 

Edited July 16 by Teimei

[ROKUJURO]

Depending on the dimensions, I beleive this TSUBA was intended as, or functioning like a HAMIDASHI one.

The decoration is certainly as Piers states above.

An interesting and unusual TSUBA!