Spartancrest

Mauro I rather like finding utsushi, I have a good data base of a number of patterns. I like the way a single design can be reinterpreted in slightly different ways and still retain the essence of the original. . . . the difficulty is working out which was the original, not sure if that is even possible.

For those who don't have photo shop https://www.jauce.com/auction/g495345461 https://www.jauce.com/auction/k540242012 https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/east-perth/antiques/rare-antique-tsuba-katana-sword-handguard-jakushi-dragon/1270358030 https://www.toukenkomachi.com/index_en_kogatana&tousougu&youhin.html https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/8038-jp-samurai-sword-wave-dragon-wakizashi http://www.nihonto.us/JAKUSHI DM117.htm https://imginn.com/p/CAUsn2CDYz9/ https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/3146-jakushi-tsuba/ http://www.shibuiswords.com/EDLjakushi.html The poem on these would read "When you are on a good thing - - stick with it!"

Wow 4 inches is big! I see some design changes, the ones drawn in Chōsen-gafu have bat like wings, Barry's F/K have eagle (?) wings and yours Andrew have a bit of both + legs that seem to be missing from the others - no legs must make landing difficult so I presume shiachi don't come to the ground? Take off would be really fun to imagine!

Yas, does no one look at the nakago-ana? This was never going to be real - 7050 yen - there are better paperweights for that much https://www.jauce.com/auction/371174105

It is the identical tsuba, Catawiki publish the sales of various auction houses so the same piece will appear there, as on the original auction site - don't worry it is not mass produced, though the pattern may be duplicated. Looks like it was sold from Australia, some good information supplied with it on Catawiki : Edo period signed shakudo tsuba with mantis under the moon design. The design is carved and inlay with silver and shibuichi. 18th/19th century. Signature: Hide Yuki (英雪) Good condition, few lights scratches. Low reserve price. Size: 70mmx 65mmx4mm material: shakudo

Sebastien, I don't know if you are interested but there is a set of sardine menuki here. https://www.jauce.com/auction/547060970 At least they look like sardines to me?

Following on from this post by Barry Hennick originating back in 2018 https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/27098-shiachi-dragon-fish/ There are the numerous finished pieces featuring the "Dragon Fish" design found in Chōsen Gafu on page 65. Coincidence that both designs of menuki have turned up in just a few days.

The designs are found in Chōsen Gafu page 65. And this just turned up on Jauce auction. https://www.jauce.com/auction/s761390544

Found another link from the Chōsen Gafu book [p.65] to a set of finished menuki from a Japanese book - the translation of which is in the hands of Google - The Japanese book can be found on Amazon and eBay - also some can be found online direct from Japan [much cheaper] https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Appraisal-of-Japanese-sword-iron-guard-TSUBA-and-Props-book-Japan-katana-0538/283450365584 https://www.ebay.com/itm/TSUBA-Props-Appraisal-Guidance-Encyclopedia-Rev-Japanese-Sword-2009-/133649734516 https://www.amazon.com/鐔-Props-Expert-Dictionary/dp/4769401361/ref=sr_1_1 https://www.hanmoto.com/bd/isbn/9784769401360

Barry you may be right - except no one seems to know what the view is - locally famous? 'Three Sisters' comes to mind, famous in NSW but not so much elsewhere. I am intrigued by my guard and others that I own, the sharp edges are not ideal for traditional Japanese clothing [ yes I know the tsuka was positioned out from the body but they must have caught on things occasionally ]

Jean All things are possible, if it did have a ring or even a fukurin there is no evidence left, the sides are all the same patina and no file marks or chisel cuts. It's size is not small really 87.4 mm x 64.3 mm and 4 mm thick. I was interested in what the jagged profile represents - the 'shoami' example does fit with a mountain theme rather than kiri-mon but why would it be symmetrical ? All the other examples apart from the first post are not symmetrical top to bottom.

Mauro - you may be right about the similarity, there is one just listed almost the same as the ones you posted. https://www.jauce.com/auction/r477171399 the side design is lower than the ones above so it is a step further to have them even lower still, like the original post. I notice the small kogai -hitsu-ana is like your first image. Evolution of a design.

This famous tsuba of a monkey and hovering wasp was recently featured in a NMB post, the guard is found in the Museum of Fine Arts Boston. There is a rather shoddy reproduction selling now https://www.jauce.com/auction/w460657968 it is pretty poor and I can't see it fooling many.

Yas - I feel so sorry for whoever 'won' that auction, all fakes [maybe the Mino real but very low quality?] 51,000 yen !!! This common reproduction is starting at a very high price as well. https://www.jauce.com/auction/s814150095 And check these three - https://www.jauce.com/auction/o461771927 https://www.jauce.com/auction/c894148996 https://www.jauce.com/auction/w436961534 what a huge price difference for mass produced reproductions.

I have had a strange shaped guard for some time, jagged top and bottom in a repeated pattern. I later noticed a guard from the Sir Arthur H Church collection that had the same pattern with a protective ring over the edges. Today yet another with the same features has appeared for auction. Three very different guards but the same silhouette 'mountains'? I checked the Church example and found it is the exact size match for my guard? Different styles using the same design book perhaps?

Hi Greg I have lately thought that "unique" is often optimistic. Of the more usual rain dragon type I have found at least 26 - examples and from correspondence with other members I have found numerous examples of their tsuba designs, duplicated. Utsushi seems to be the norm rather than the exception.

I wonder if anyone can help with the signature translation on this guard? I don't think it is ubu 生: It looks too thick and rounded - I don't have in hand yet, I bought it for its shape and design. 71 mm x 62 mm x 4 mm The design is one I have not seen before so if anyone has seen something similar I would appreciate the information. I have four examples of the more usual 'Rain Dragon' below. Thanks for any comments.

Sebastien isn't it a shame that the Dia has lost the fish head and some of the holly, otherwise they look in good condition.

Sebastien I have found a daisho set selling on Jauce with the same Sardine and Holly theme as yours. https://www.jauce.com/auction/j716876105 I hope the images are of some use.

For all those still interested in kutsuwa tsuba you may wish to see one going for auction https://www.jauce.com/auction/l663585368 The wisteria mitsu tomoe sukashi doesn't leave a lot of metal around the nakago-ana. The central area looks similar to a guard from the Ashmolean Museum. http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/object/EAX.10192

I am unsure if this PDF article has been posted before, it dates from 2012 Samurai-Evolution-of-Arms-Armors (2).pdf

Has anyone got any information on this totally impractical sword guard? Any ideas where the image can be found? Is it a novelty or was it meant to sell to tourists? Thanks in advance.

Thank you Brian for adding that and the "Etiquette of Seppuku" to the downloads, I must apologize for the image quality of the Metropolitan Museum auction, I have to lay the fault with Christies for the low resolution images.

There is a similar themed tsuba in the Walters Art Museum. https://art.thewalters.org/detail/20774/tsuba-with-grapevine-and-squirrels/ There is also a Cloisonné piece in the Brooklyn Museum - unfortunately all their examples are in B&W The Ashmolean Museum also has several in the same theme of which these are two. http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/collection/7/10237/10374

NAILED IT !!! New class of tsuba - Ko Katchushi Kinky !!!