truelotus Posted September 23, 2014 Report Posted September 23, 2014 Hi I recently got this koto tachi with so called "elephant" ornament on the handle ... upon seeing it, I believe this was a makara (mythical creature) with form of dragon equipped with elephant trunk the problem is I cannot find any literature of such creature in Japanese mythology ... as the Japanese version of Makara (makatsu) is somehow depicted like a fish, and lack elephant trunk similar creature is well known in asia .... but not in Japan any thoughts ?? or perhaps I was mistaken and this was part of Spongebob Squarepants koshirae depicting Squidward tentacles ?? thanks in advance Donny Quote
Guido Posted September 23, 2014 Report Posted September 23, 2014 I think it's an amaryū 雨龍, rain dragon. Quote
Baka Gaijin Posted September 23, 2014 Report Posted September 23, 2014 Could it be a Baku 獏 (Supernatural being that devours dreams and nightmares)? Cheers Quote
Grey Doffin Posted September 23, 2014 Report Posted September 23, 2014 Can we see more of the sword and koshirae? Could be wrong but this doesn't look like Japanese work to me. Grey Quote
Guido Posted September 23, 2014 Report Posted September 23, 2014 I did a quick Google search for 雨龍, and here are two (of many) results (龍 can also be written 竜): Quote
Gasam Posted September 23, 2014 Report Posted September 23, 2014 Hi! This somewhat resembles a pair of menuki that is part of a handachi koshirae that I own. I have tried to find/google similarly themed menuki just because I have wondered what they are depicting. It could indeed be the same creature. Will post images tomorrow, have none now and today is busy times :-) Quote
Baka Gaijin Posted September 23, 2014 Report Posted September 23, 2014 I think you've nailed it Guido Quote
Gasam Posted September 23, 2014 Report Posted September 23, 2014 I think it's an amaryū 雨龍, rain dragon. Well what do you know? An amaryū rain dragon it is! Have wondered for so long what creature the menukis were depicting Quote
Jim Rogers Posted September 23, 2014 Report Posted September 23, 2014 I just noticed this on one of the Tsuba's I'm watching on eBay. http://www.ebay.com/itm/380999134430?_t ... EBIDX%3AIT Quote
Tcat Posted September 23, 2014 Report Posted September 23, 2014 Some examples of what I think are rain dragons from my bits and bobs drawer, most of you have probably have seen many similar things; a jovial fellow on an old wari kogai: and a higo kozuka, different artist and era but same subject I believe: This one is no longer mine, but it's for sale and I know where to find it I think it is kaga work, I was always told they were rain dragons: Quote
truelotus Posted September 24, 2014 Author Report Posted September 24, 2014 woah !! thank you all ... this is overwhelming ... I did not expect it will be correctly known on 1st try ... will now search more on the Amaryuu subject I will post the sword on the nihonto forum as I need more information on the smith once more, thank you very much ... Donny Quote
Guido Posted September 24, 2014 Report Posted September 24, 2014 Here's a manjū netsuke (ivory, 19'th century) from my collection depicting a rain dragon: Quote
Guido Posted September 24, 2014 Report Posted September 24, 2014 I just noticed this on one of the Tsuba's I'm watching on eBay.That's a namiryū 波龍, a dragon among waves. Quote
Guido Posted September 25, 2014 Report Posted September 25, 2014 Just popped up on the Aoi Art website: http://www.aoijapan.com/tsuba-mumeiunsigned-edo-akao. However, Mr. Tsuruta transcribes 雨龍 as unryū. Quote
Tcat Posted September 25, 2014 Report Posted September 25, 2014 Nice pics Guido. Have you acquired that tsuba? Quote
Guido Posted September 25, 2014 Report Posted September 25, 2014 No, just posted it as yet another example. I'm saving my money for the DTI :D. Quote
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