Strange shaped saya I.D.?

[Ron STL]

Here is a very strange and unique wakizashi saya that I'm trying to understand. Does anyone know what this shape is representing. I've been unable to locate such a saya in my koshirae books. 

Thanks Ron STL

[suketaka]

A Horse leg?

 

But if, why?

[lonely panet]

maybe, but looks more like a deer, or pig hock

[Ron STL]

Certainly looks like a horse's hoof but I bet it would represent something else. Let's see if anybody else has any idea on this. 

Ron STL

[SAS]

The recurve could help retain the saya in the obi, or be used to deflect an attacker's sword....just theorizing.

[mecox]

Ron, here's some tanto koshirae  with similar concept.  

[Bugyotsuji]

How about the butt of a Tanegashima?

[Fuuten]

It kind of looks like a Kenyan weapen used to defend against lions. After quick search I learned it's called a 'rungu'. https://bit.ly/2WDFw3M

 

 Quite clearly not really was OP's saya was based on but in shape with the small point on the buttend it is really quite similar. In any case I think it's a simply shaped to make the saya a weapon on its own.

 

 

I forgot to post the above and photograph the object downstairs yesterday... I'll post now and add the picture when I have it.

 

 

[Fuuten]

22 hours ago, mecox said:

Ron, here's some tanto koshirae  with similar concept.  

I always found the type on the right (referred to as lobster shaped (right?)), to be quite aesthetically pleasing.   

 

Sorry I can't copy the above to add to previous post on phone.. 

[Ron STL]

Initially, I saw the butt of a matchlock but thought that strange. Oddly enough, I also thought of an African weapon which is totally strange, but I collected those for awhile. I would stick with Japanese culture here, but there is a good chance it related only to something important to the owner of the sword. Just look at the similar but different shapes of the tanto koshirae posted. If these things could only talk...

Ron STL

[mecox]

Why not the large Fijian war club called a "wau"

[Bazza]

Good one Mal.  I had been thinking along the same lines that it looked like a South Sea Islander club.  Between the black of the "club" and the saya proper is a line suggesting the "club" might have been a later addition and possibly not of Japanese origin...

 

BaZZa.

[Ron STL]

That's a possibility Barry. Makes me recall such a wakizashi years ago that was "dressed" as an islander sword, but the blade was an interesting wakizashi, no doubt picked up in the field and redressed to taste. You may recall the blade, too, pictured in Fujishiiro Shintohen p. 309 if memory is correct. Nakajima polished the sword later but a large opening in the kissaki caused me to part with it. Back to the topic sword, I think the koshirae is too well made to have been redressed by some islander. 

Ron STL

[Ooitame]

I thought horse head for decoration. But, after studying it a little more, it looks like a hand stop. Maybe, non Samurai trying Mushashis two weapon approach; a waki and club? Could also just be a emergency catch when drawing, as it looks not too long.

[Surfson]

Axel, I think that the ones you posted are called "ebi" saya.  Ebi can be shrimp or lobster and I'm not sure which is being referred to.