Spartancrest

I am trying to find the origin of what I take to be zodiac or calendar characters on a namban guard. They are arranged around the rim and don't look like Japanese or Chinese figures. Thanks for any help.

I have had a look around and whereas there are plenty of tsuba with noh masks, other fittings are in short supply - makes it difficult to gauge age when there is so little to judge by. https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/8005-jp-samurai-sword-noh-mask-takasago-menuki https://www.catawiki.com/l/43615829-Japanese-sign-higonokami-fujiwarateruhiro-saku-kogatana-hand-fan-hanya-mask-motif-iron-copper-Japan-edo-period-1600-1868 https://www.ebay.ie/itm/Kozuka-Japan-Samurai-Hannya-mask-inlay-shakudo-sword-fitting-katana-tsuba-w-box-/183876758513 none of these are very close to your piece but you might get some clues?

Not me! Otafuka お多福 (woman's 'moon' face) based as you say on a Nōh mask. [Maybe her sister was the looker?]

I am very thankful for the translations that have been done. I am looking into 421 and 448 in a list of kao I have [there are so many that are very similar it may come down to a guess] I was never convinced 277 was genuine - may be a cast fake. In any case I have incorporated some ruled pages at the back of the book for devotees to insert their own opinions.

Thank you both very much, It is great to add some lost information that will help future generations [I hope] Probably a few weeks away from finishing the book (so far about 330 pages) if only I had some influence on production costs, or a big firm was interested in doing a big print run to bring costs down. Print on demand has its advantages but cost is not one of them.

How about this little picture I made up of "Rolling Rain Dragons" -

Yes sorry I panicked! I did find other guards like the one in the museum - he seems to have liked to try his hand at several types. [I suppose like everyone you could get bored doing the same, same.] Thanks again.

That is OK john, if you change your mind let me know. I will just put up a credit [ information aided by members of Nihonto Message Board ] how would that be? That's two translations for 343 ? The guard style I am researching does not match with the style in the link you sent.

That is fantastic service Uwe and John, can I add your N.M.B. names to the credit list in the book? That is already half the inscriptions done, many thanks to all.

I am trying to compile a book on a Museum collection of tsuba, many of the images in the collection are supplied with inscription information but a number do not. I was hoping for some help with those that have no information. Any help would be appreciated - I realize the images are poor but they are all I have access to. Let me know if you would like to be included in the credits. Rather than post one at a time I have a single image of seven to start with, with reference numbers. I also realize that some inscriptions will be unreadable and/or gimei. Thanks for any help. There are only seven more inscriptions so I will add them here as well.

Yas, I saw those, the one with the broken head has been cleaned up but not repaired. It is funny that a clean up can earn three times what he paid for it. The unfinished one [or hobby piece] was selling back in December 2020 for 15,000 yen, it is back at a cheaper starting price. I just received an unusual double rain dragon, that adds to my collection of four single dragon examples - very pleased with it. [My double was only 12,000yen and not damaged]

I saw that one - it was so bad I didn't think it should offend the viewers! A big downward spiral in quality. Still, it is starting at the right price, makes a cheap fishing lure!

This guard could be of historic significance - one very much like it was formally owned by the Baron, Rudiger of Biegeleben, envoy to Tokyo of the Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria. The one pictured is inscribed Shoami Denshichi , the quality of the image from 1923 makes it difficult to prove as it shows only the ura, but well worth the effort to substantiate. I hope someone can come up with a mei translation on yours.

Higo school, see these examples. https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/324522058652 https://japanesegallery.com/19th-century-higo-tsuba-nakane-heihachiro-style. have fun.

This site has an almost identical tsuba with lots of information on the design, it is well worth a look https://www.samuraimuseum.jp/shop/product/antique-tsuba-for-samurai-sword-t-206/ [the tsuba described has been sold] You have acquired a good collection, I particularly like the mother hen and her chicks.

Well thank you all - I do like having 'problem children' - It gives me something to investigate [have not really been up to it the last week, the dreaded 'Man - flu' has kept me down and befuddled] Thank you all so very much, many heads are better than one fuzzy one!

I received this guard for free with an auction purchase of several other guards, I don't know why it was included but am not looking a gift horse in the mouth - so to speak. From what little I know of sukashi schools, I was wondering if the style was consistent with Owari mainly from the many curved elements rather than Akasaka which are more linear. The mimi is maru, the dimensions 74 mm x 70 mm x 4 mm and weighs 95.5 g. Please feel free to comment thanks.

Thank you so much for that - it ties in so well with the omote view of the guard. It comes from the D. Z. Norton collection. Image has been lightened for detail.

Has anyone ever come across a daisho pair where the larger guard is in iron and the smaller with the same design in kinko? I ask because I found a guard in the D. Z. Norton collection in iron 74mm diam. and one yesterday listed on an auction site at 69mm in what appears soft metal. https://www.jauce.com/auction/g499717457 I realize that they may simply be utsushi but the idea struck me that perhaps they could be a pair - what are the rules with daisho? Just a thought exercise.

I have been trying to work out this gold kanji meaning on a tsuba- anyone got a clue what it might mean? The mei reads Mitsuoki I believe. Many thanks in advance.

Well I don't see that idea being too good for the horse! He either gets shot in the leg or he bolts and throws the rider - and just how do you aim it without falling out the saddle or blowing your own toes off?

For those interested it looks like the Stallion has found a mate - or more precisely a split daisho has turned up https://www.ebay.com/itm/392407861489 I can't say I am entirely convinced they weren't worked on much later than the guard was made - despite what the NBTHK papers say.

True Barry except historically other peoples like the Parthians didn't even use stirrups and yet were renowned for their mounted archery - just ask the Romans - who also didn't use stirrups.

I think you did well with that purchase, the detailed pictures show the textures on the objects so much better, must look great in hand. Nice clean new box what a bonus, daisho boxes themselves can be pricey.

How about the cajones [balls] on this one https://www.jauce.com/auction/f507080904 first you take a plain iron guard and with your paintbrush - - - -