skull or Mantis?

[Mantis dude]

HI All,

 

Last night I found a tsuba going off auction this am. https://buyee.jp/item/yahoo/auction/d355994428. . I was debating is this just a tsuba depicting a skull or is it actually a mantis head?  Now before you jump to skull I like to submit a Katchussi tsuba  pictured in Sukashi tsuba by kokubo pg. 27.  I didn't have enough time to solicit opinions and while auction price went cheap, there seemed to be higher bids put in so I didn't bother raising it too much.  Opinions on the tsuba itself are welcome.  Thanks for input.  All the Best.

Ken aka "The Mantis Dude"

[Brian]

Mantis. Otherwise no need for the "legs"

[Brian Ayres]

Mantis and I like it. You were nice to someone.

[Mantis dude]

Thanks guys for the input. Now I have to repeatedly smack myself for not bidding on it. Lol (laughing covering up my crying). Hate to let an unique one go. Oh well, life goes on. All the best.

Ken

[SteveM]

Another one for you, Ken. I thought this one was nicely executed.

 

https://www.touken-matsumoto.jp/product_details.php?prod_no=TSU-1709

[Mantis dude]

I agree. I have seen this style many times. Seeing an attribution to bushu is an important data point for me since I haven't seen a lot of these assigned to a school. Once or twice i have seen them labeled akasaka but they don't inlay in gold so I knew that wasn't correct. Always appreciate links thanks.

Ken