Another Motif Question...

[lotus]

What would you say is the motif on the attached Tsuba? My initial thoughts was it is just another one of those 3 Clouds Tsubas.

 

However, the shape next to the hitsu ana does not look like a cloud at all but, rather, very much like a bird?

 

Also, the top shape looks rather strange for a cloud with its angles and what appears to be "comma" like shapes on the ends with one larger than the other. The 3rd shape is the most cloud like, IMO.

 

Dunno, what would you all say?

 

Also, would you say this looks like a Shoami school piece?

[b.hennick]

My guess is a caterpillar, a butterfly and a bat. I'm  most sure of the bat.

[lotus]

Barry -

 

Yeah, I could see the top one being a caterpillar. Which one do you think is the bat? The winged one that I thought was a bird?

[b.hennick]

There are ears on a bat not a bird.

[Tanto54]

I think Barry is correct (about the bat). Natsuo does his bats in a similar fashion. Here's a tsuba (not Natsuo...) from Grey's site and the writeup from Skip Holbrook says that the sukashi are bats.

 

 

H238. Iron with shakudo plug in the hitsu ana. 8.6 x 8.7 x .4 cm. The nakago hitsu-ana measures 1 x 2.9 cm. This tsuba came from the Holbrook collection. Skip’s tag says, “Edo Tosho, mother & 2 baby bats & flower, early Edo.” Again, a very dense plate with subtle tekkotsu on the rim and a faint mokume on the faces.

[TETSUGENDO]

Barry your bat attribution is probable, caterpillar?, butterfly?  George the tsuba you pictured is a large bat, possible Camelia blossom(the 7 petals), and the two "baby bats" are composit elements of bat/stylized cloud/fungus.  The motifs represents wishes for good luck, prosperity, and a healthy long life.

 

Cheers,

    -S-