a very odd namban tsuba theme

[lonely panet]

well i have this tsuba with a very european them for a namban tsuba.  

 

is it 4 goblins?

[Bugyotsuji]

An unusual and interesting example and yes they look like goblin heads (and legs!?!?!) although I suspect they are a Shikami version.
 

Too many Namban threads! Aaarrrggghhh… they all need to be centralized somewhere! 

[ROKUJURO]

Hamish,

what about the other side? Just plain or similarly decorated?

[Bugyotsuji]

Just for creature comparison…

 

[ROKUJURO]

Piers,

this one seems to have more Chinese stylistic influence than Hamish's TSUBA, in my opinion. 

[Bugyotsuji]

As for marugata, how common was that for Namban tsuba?

 

Another for sugata comparison,

[ROKUJURO]

They made round ones also:
 

[kissakai]

Another one

 

[Spartancrest]

Grev there appears to be "too many" of these "Zodiac" tsuba I fear they are mass produced.                 

[Robert S]

9 hours ago, lonely panet said:

well i have this tsuba with a very european them for a namban tsuba.  

 

is it 4 goblins?

 

I almost wonder if either this item or the design was originally an escutcheon for a door lock.

[ROKUJURO]

And another HIRADO with Zodiac subject but not mass produced

[Spartancrest]

On 9/9/2026 at 9:38 AM, Robert S said:

I almost wonder if either this item or the design was originally an escutcheon for a door lock.

This one most certainly was used as an escutcheon! Not namban of course.   https://www.jauce.com/auction/m1244165038