Spartancrest

Some of the seals/kao found on Seiryuken Eiju guards - I am sure there are others [I have three matching seals like the last example all in 'shippo' pattern.] Other guard designs such as Dragons may have seals matching depending on the artists speciality.

Thomas this from Mandarin Mansions - https://www.mandarinmansion.com/item/seiryuken-eiju-dragon-tsuba Seiryūken Eiju "Seiryūken Eiju (成竜軒栄寿) was the art name of Tetsugendo Toryuken, also known as Naofusa (尚房). He was active in Osaka, Kyoto and later Edo from circa 1775-1800. He was a student of Okamoto Harukuni and adopted son of master craftsman and founder of the Tetsugendo school; Okamoto Naoshige. Tsuba carrying his name and signature vary considerably in style and quality, and many even exhibit different kao (personal seals). The most likely explanation is that he ran an atelier with several craftsmen, and was only involved in some of the pieces himself. Hirado Kunishige also worked like that. A recurring trait of Seiryuken Eiju tsuba is that they have a discoid cross-section, with chiseled iron decor and bears the signature in beautiful cursive sosho (grass script), often with a golden inlaid seal." Several different seals or kao were used because each student or master signed almost the same way and the seal was a way to separate the individual maker [That is my understanding of the 'system']

What are the chances of this turning up - NOW? https://www.jauce.com/auction/1036706516

Jesse, I like the Japanese flavors the best!

Thickness sounds about right for that style of guard. What worries me is these large tosho or katchushi guards turn up week after week and when you check the sellers other items there is usually a string of others - Why? Either the seller has a 'huge' collection he is selling off or he has an endless supply of modern made replicas. It is a gamble but if the price is right maybe the gamble will pay off? https://www.jauce.com/user/dj2hmyuc

Mark your example is very close to Richard's and once again the elements have been moved about - it seems the design was never really settled - well we know they are not cast copies that is for sure! A daisho set would be very hard to find again.

Grev, I would love to say it was 'Unique' but as soon as I do, one will turn up!

We may have a major find here! The guard pictured above Signed Fujiwara Kodo (Furumichi) hitsu and sealed in gold Hirochika. Could once have been owned by an Envoy of the Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria - The same Archduke who's assassination sparked the first World War. The 1923 image is, I will admit a bit grainy but the proportions are exact as shown in the image overlap. Another "Historic" Yasuchika 'Hare' tsuba from 1894

I don't know for sure but shouldn't the nanako also be on the rim edge? I have an all iron guard and the nanako covers all the face and rim except the seppa-dai.

This is way off topic but my searches produce some interesting things. https://www.facebook.com/kirieya/photos/a.1472128026342623/2283753155180102/ Tsuba paper cut-outs, including themes for major Holidays. Who knew?

Another subtle Aoi and screen with extra feature of the wagon wheel. https://www.jauce.com/auction/b1062022558

Jesse there is a thread running now you might find more Rabbits on! Some borrowed images.

Great Glen - sometimes the time zones come into play. I am not sure I like the ura view. The waves look like deformed penises/penii [am I allowed to say that?]

Richard that one has a bit of everything! I really must get a copy of the Elephant book, other people have told me about it but I always get outbid when one comes up for auction. [Funny when you think of it, it has nothing to do with Elephants!]

https://www.artfoxlive.com/product/7143852.html

Sometimes Yasuchika got sick of the rabbit and put a fisherman in instead. http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/object/EAX.10951 This Rabbit/Hare does not count because there is no moon. https://www.pinterest.com.au/pin/89649848810553016/

Yasuchika designed Rabbit under the moon - hasn't everyone got one?

I might be picky but there are a couple of 'off' spots - possible damage through use?

I will get this one in before Glen spots it. https://www.jauce.com/auction/b1061970087

By the way Paul 700mm is 2.29 Feet. I am sure you mean 70 mm and the nakago-ana is 30 mm. Unless it is one like this - https://www.jauce.com/auction/m1036014452

I would agree with Kirill the images are not detailed enough, are they auction images?

Signed by Seiryuken Eiju, of the Tetsugendo school. Piers is correct Shippō design. Like this image I have a triple set myself. The signatures can vary a little and the seal can also be by a different maker. [Yours, mine and the three pictured all have the same seal.]

I have been following this 'Tea items ' design for a few weeks and thought I might share it with the members. Glen Cordner has also been on the lookout for this design and has shared his information with me. The basic elements seem to remain but they 'move about' in the design. The thick plate guard on the right may not look like the other sukashi ones, but it too has most of the elements [This particular guard has been 'upgraded' to become a trivet and the ura view is not open enough to find any designs] I would welcome any other images of this type. Many thanks.

I can find examples with the 'pole, ropes and bucket' but from totally different schools - not a help. Roger - which Tote are you betting with? Ladbrokes, Betfair, Neds or 'We break legs'?

Well I should be able to find it in this 'book' NOT!