Iron Tsuba Question: upside down, rightside up?

[kaigunair]

Came across this "bee/wasp" themed tsuba. Made me wonder whether there was any sort of definition of a tsuba's correct orientation. When sheathed in the saya, the design would be upside down. When drawn, the tsuba would be rightside oriented.

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SUKASHI-TSUBA-J ... 638wt_1038

 

My understanding was most tsuba were designed to be viewed sheathed within the saya. Is there a term or style associated with orienting a design to be seen correctly when the sword is drawn?

 

Note: flipping the tsuba and regardless of which side is the Ura or Omote, the upside down when in saya still holds true...

 

Looking forward to comments!

[Grey Doffin]

Junichi,

Perhaps the wasps enjoy the position; I don't necessarily think anything is upside down.

Grey

[Ford Hallam]

'Horoku' used to mean a stipend.

 

The kanji for bee and deer (the antlers) together can also be read as 'horoku'. It's thought that this combination as a decorative motif might allude to a promotion.

[kaigunair]

Grey, Ah, didn't occur to me that this could be the "proper" orientation for a bee. Was relying on a more "human" orientation of head=up. I think the listing also mentions it, which probably played into my pre-conceived notions. Makes more sense when given that the antlers (didn't know what those were supposed to "Bee" ) are right side up.

 

Ford, what an insight! Well, I think these comments have just doubled or tripled the value of this tsuba now, so it will be interesting to watch. I mean, on understanding the theme alone even my non-iron interest is piqued!

 

 

Edit:

Hmmm...not sure I'm finding the right kanji combo:

 

微禄 = びろく = Be ro ku = stipend

 

Bee (this one's easy)

ビー = "Bee" (western pronounciation) 蜂 はち = Hatsu

 

Antler (doesn't look like the kanji combos are pronounced ro ku?):

鹿の角 しかのつの = shikanotsuno 枝角えだづの =medazuno

Maybe just the kanji for horn: 角 カク = Ka ku ( but つの=tsuno if first or used alone)

 

So, Be-ka-ku (western word for bee +horn), close to Be ro ku...

 

What an interesting etymology!

[Ford Hallam]

The kanji for bee and deer (the antlers) together can also be read as 'horoku'

the deer is signified by the antlers...

 

roku is the 'On' reading of Shika 鹿 - deer

 

hou is the 'on' reading for hachi 蜂 - bee, hornet or wasp

 

俸禄 or 俸祿 / houroku : retainer's stipend; official pay; salary