Rabbits

Vermithrax16 · November 29, 2017

Thanks to my local friend Erick (NihontoNewbie) and as always our Stephen for showing me rabbit themed tsuba. I really like them.

Two reside with me currently, and they remind me of something that's important to me. Make me feel good.

Stephen · November 29, 2017

Well i like them anyway, no others posting.

Rabbit in moon tale was part of my first family night time stories, also at full moon you can image a rabbit sitting up on his haunches.

one version of the tail

Every night the Old Man in the Moon looks down on Earth to see how his animals and people are doing. He smiles to see them resting after a hard day's work. He winks at sleeping children. He hovers over rivers and lakes, lighting the waves and the shore. Then he sails on to other lands.

One night long ago, the Old Man lingered in the sky over a forest in Japan. The animals below seemed to him to live in peace and harmony. Suddenly he spotted a monkey, a fox and a rabbit who were living side by side. The Old Man began to wonder about these animals that he knew only by sight. After a while he began to long to know them better.

"Which of these friends is the kindest creature?" he asked himself as he watched the rabbit dash across the fields. "I wonder which is most generous?" he said softly as he watched the monkey swing from a tree. "I wonder what they are truly like," he said as he watched the fox paw at the forest floor to make his bed. "I need to know more about my creatures."

The Old Man floated a while longer, but finally his curiosity got the best of him. "I must go and see for myself," he said, and because the Old Man in the Moon is a magical creature, he was able to transform himself into a poor beggar. In this disguise he floated down to Earth.

He walked through the forest until he came to the clearing where the monkey, fox and rabbit lived. When the creatures saw him, they looked up at him with bright shining eyes.

"Good day, sir," the rabbit said. "How do you do?"

"Welcome to our forest," said the monkey, and the fox bowed low.

"Oh, friends," the Old Man said, leaning heavily on his walking stick, "I am not doing well. I am old and poor, and I am very hungry. Do you think you could help me?"

"Of course we'll help," the monkey chattered.

"We always help our friends," the fox agreed.

"We'll fetch some food for you," the rabbit added, and without a moment's hesitation, the three ran off, each one in search of food to offer the poor beggar.

The Old Man sat down and leaned against a tree. Looking up into his sky, he smiled. "These are good animals," he said to himself, "and I am curious to see who is most generous."

Before long the monkey returned, carrying an armload of fruit. "Here you are," the monkey said. "The bananas and berries are delicious. And take these oranges too, and these pears. I hope you will enjoy my gift," and he lay his fruit before the beggar.

"Thank you, my friend. You are kind," the beggar said, and before he had finished speaking, the fox raced into the clearing. He carried a fat, fresh fish between his teeth, and this he laid before the beggar. Again he bowed.

"My friend," the fox said, "I offer you a fresh fish to ease your hunger. I hope this will satisfy you."

"You also are kind," said the Old Man. "I never knew how kind the forest animals were."

"Of course we are kind," the monkey said proudly.

"And we are skilled at finding food," the fox added.

Now all three sat waiting for the rabbit to return.

Meanwhile, the rabbit dashed this way and that through the forest, but no matter how he tried, he could not find food for the beggar. At long last he returned to the clearing.

"Friend," the monkey cried, "you have returned!"

"I have," the rabbit said sadly, "but I must ask you to do me a favor, dear friends. Please, Brother Monkey, will you gather firewood for me? And Brother Fox, with this firewood will you build a big fire?"

The monkey and the fox ran off at once to do as their friend asked, and the beggar sat quietly by, watching in wonder.

When the fire was blazing, the rabbit turned to the beggar. "I have nothing to offer you but myself," he said. "I am going to jump into the fire, and when I am roasted, please feast upon me. I cannot bear to see you go hungry." Rabbit bent his knees, preparing to jump into the fire.

The beggar at once threw away his stick and cast off his cloak. He stood straight and tall and proud, and the animals, seeing this strange transformation, began to shake with fear.

"Don’t be afraid," the Old Man said. "You see, Rabbit, I am more than a beggar, and I have seen that you are more than generous. Your kindness is beyond price, but you must understand, I wish you no harm. I do not want you to sacrifice yourself for my comfort. I will take you home with me, where I can watch over you and make sure you are never harmed."

The Old Man in the Moon lifted the rabbit into his arms and carried him up to the moon. The monkey and the fox watched in amazement, but they were grateful, for they wished their friend no harm.

If you look carefully at the moon when it is full and bright, you will see the rabbit living there in peace.

CSM101 · November 29, 2017

Just another one.

Uwe G.

Stephen · November 29, 2017

here are the ones i helped Nihontonewbie with

tsuba off ebay bit rusty, he cleaned it up, then we bid together on tsuka that he took F/K

i cleaned up the tarnish on Kashira rabbit otherwise just rennaisance wax.

Steve Waszak · November 29, 2017

I'm a fan of this theme as well. My favorite rabbit-and-moon tsuba is below, an iron tsuba made by (shodai) Hoan. The moon is represented by what I believe is a sosho script form of the kanji for "moon." The rabbit's head is presented in a rather oblique way, in a subtle relief carving combined with yakite-kusarashi, with part of a long ear continuing onto the other side of the tsuba. A simple, but powerful design, IMHO. The image is taken from Dr. Torigoye's Tsuba Kanshoki.

Cheers,

Steve

Ed · November 29, 2017

Like this theme as well. I have a Hisamichi boys day sword which I had restored for my daughter. It was polished and a new saya was made in Japan. The theme is rabbits and grasses/floral. The menuki are long eared rabbits, F/K Mino floral and the saya depicts rabbits in the grasses. The only thing lacking is the perfect tsuba. When it came back from polish, the tsuba sent didn't come back. Fortunately, it was not match for the koshirae either.

The Choshu piece Uwe posted would be ideal, if I could find one in a diminutive size. The size is the issue, it being so small. I have purchased several, I hoped would do, but they didn't match well enough.

My next option is to make one. As the rabbits on the saya are looking up, I plan to make a simple iron tosho style tsuba with a moon sukashi.

BTW: Love the Hoan tsuba!

Alex A · November 29, 2017

Reminds me of some I once owned Ed.

Vermithrax16 · November 29, 2017

Great stuff all!

b.hennick · November 30, 2017

Here is a rabbit maedate for your enjoyment.

parfaitelumiere · November 30, 2017

A fuchi-kashira set, unsigned but for me it's same author as the signon top left.

Ed · November 30, 2017

I know this is a long shot, but since I have all the rabbit fans assembled in one spot, if any of you have or run across a nice but very small tsuba, in a rabbit theme, please let me know. Not looking for mediocre, it must be pretty nice to match the rest of the koshirae.

The tsuba needs to measure approximately 2.5" x 2.125"

Nakago Ana width(Mihaba)

needs to be no less than: 3/4 (0.75”) (19mm)

&

no greater than: 13/16 (0.8125”)(21.63mm)

X

Nakago Ana Thickness at the spine (Kasane)

no less than: 3/16 -(0.1875”)(4.7mm)

&

no greater than: 1/4 (0.25”)(6.3mm)

Actual Nakago size where tsuba will sit:

Mihaba 0.75" - (19mm)

Kasane(spine) 3/16 -(0.1875")-4.7mm

As well, a tiny F/K in a rabbit theme would be great to find.

Ed

Vermithrax16 · November 30, 2017

For a tanto Ed? Maybe Stephen can help. Would love to see one that small!

Ed · December 1, 2017

Boy's day wakizashi.

Stephen · December 1, 2017

scary rabbits

https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/c636375294

scary price

https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/w129337377

Kurikata · December 2, 2017

my rabbits

Timur · December 3, 2017

Flying bunny

Stephen · December 3, 2017

And Dragon's oh my!

NihontoNewbie · December 11, 2017

Can’t believe I didn’t see this thread earlier. Both Jeremiah and Stephen have been indispensable in my rabbit search. I needed something for a custom katana that was suppose to be done a couple weeks ago, but I am still waiting. The last I heard is they are waiting for the custom ratan wrapped saya to be completed.

I can’t wait to have the project done and in my feverish hands.

Stephen found both the F/K and tsuba for me. They weren’t made as a set, but I think they match perfectly. Thanks again guys!!!