Metropolitan tsuba update

[Spartancrest]

Several months ago I released a two volume book "Public Domain Tsuba in the Metropolitan Museum" - within that book there is an unusual example of a Kawari-gata guard that appeared to have originally had a maru rim, now removed. I have just come across the full example for comparison. You can clearly see they are the same design and the 85mm example has a fairly robust rim [mimi]. The Museums example though decorative would be impractical for use, the finer elements being easily cut off and a risk of catching on any lose clothing.

[Kurikata]

A similar one at a French action 10 years ago :https://www.thierrydemaigret.com/lot/6855/1368757?npp=50& . Hammer price was € 250

[rkg]

FWIW, those are lantern flowers I believe.  I have a piece with that theme (the fun part is that the nunome is created completely with lacquer, including the crosshatching):
 

Best,

rkg

(Richard George)

 

[Spartancrest]

Richard, yes they are Chinese lantern plants [Physalis alkekengi] They belong to the nightshade family, the bright red fruit is edible and very high in vitamin C - However the rest of the plant is toxic. They are related to the Cape Gooseberry [Physalis peruviana] which are almost identical except for the golden yellow colour of the ripe fruit. I have grown Cape gooseberry for years and can testify they are very good eating - they grow prolifically and set seed very easy - full sun in good soil they form a low bush and are an annual in temperate regions and a perennial in the tropics. 

If you haven't tried one you should grow one just for fun. I wonder why they were used as decoration on a sword-guard? Was it as a food plant or because they do look like tiny Chinese paper lanterns?

I should note the example of the first post from Natura/BUY describes the design as Aoi flowers which is clearly wrong.

[Brian]

Off topic, but my Cape Gooseberry bush yields so much fruit, that we make amazing jam from them and have enough to give away. Grows very easily.

[Spartancrest]

Thanks Brian, I think I will try making some jam this season too!💡

[Japan2112]

The design is generally seen as one from Kyo Shoami tradition, with nunome zogan highlights. There is a current example on the Nihonto.us website.