Akasaka tsuba, is there a tale to the theme

[lonely panet]

Morning lady's and  gentlemen,

 

well I have been looking for a idea or meaning of the theme of this tsuba for some 12 months now. 

 

I cant figure out the design's meaning, it consists of 2 axes (one broken, and one nicely chipped where the kozuka fits) and 2 rice mallets. this tsuba just returned from shinsa but the papers are months away.

 

regards Hamish

PS sorry phone photos 

[lonely panet]

i find it odd, that modern or repro tsuba are getting more comments and attention the a good quality Akasaka. 

 

whos toes have i stood on?

[Ford Hallam]

Well lets see what I can add....

 

Superb design work and exactly what the great Akasaka masters are justly famous for. A compex composition and yet every line and negative space has been expertly considered. It satisfies my very demanding eyes very much.

 

The workmanship also is lovely, a perfect example of what professional tsuba-shi work ought to look like.

 

The axes, or masakari, judging by their shape, are weapons rather than tools. The other shapes are troublesome though, rice mallets? not sure.

 

I'd suggest that this combination of elements alludes to a Noh play. Wearing something that elegantly signalled ones cultural sophistication was de rigueur in mid to late Edo period Edo.

[Curran]

Battle axes + rice mallets =  

 

Marriage?

[johnnyi]

Although it appears to be a broken axe handle, is it possible I wonder if there might be some thunder to the axe? 

 

 

John

[Ford Hallam]

Battle axes + rice mallets =  

 

Marriage?

[Steves87]

I thought they were 'Kanzashi Hair Ornaments'

[lonely panet]

wow, thankyou for all for your thoughts and help,  especailly Ford San. 

 

i shall start looking at Noh plays 

 

kind regards to all that commented

Hamish

[Bazza]

I have a dinging in the back of my noggin that says the "other than axe" shape has been discussed here before, somewhere.  The idea is associated with weights of some sort???

 

BaZZa.