Spartancrest Posted October 14, 2021 Report Posted October 14, 2021 I just purchased a small Tanto tsuba, the dealer described it as coming from the village of Yagu not far from Nara. I have seen many Yagu 'Bell' design guards and this is also described as Tsurigane [bell] shaped which it is not. To my eye it is in the shape of a Saké bottle, even down to the pouring spout, I have another image that is described as Wakizashi sized and in the shape of a 'rice bag' [both descriptions wrong] Would anyone hazard a school or style of this guard and could anyone steer me in the direction of the European auction house of the similar design? The dimensions given by the auction of the one I bought are suspect [I don't believe the thickness is only between 1 & 2 mm] Thanks for any assistance. Quote
Toryu2020 Posted October 14, 2021 Report Posted October 14, 2021 Dale ー I believe you are right ー Daikoku and a sake bottle. Lots of images out there apparently though first time I am seeing a tsuba. I agree no relation to Yagyu, sorry cannot help to place it or the auction house... -t 1 Quote
Spartancrest Posted October 14, 2021 Author Report Posted October 14, 2021 Well thank you very much Thomas, that image is spot on. Having a second look at the spout of most Saké bottles and the other tsuba image I am now inclined to think the spout is supposed to represent a chipped or cracked top - it may well represent getting a bit merry and breaking the bottle? [the hazards of drink?] Yagu or not is really not that important to me I just love the odd shape. 2 Quote
Tanto54 Posted October 14, 2021 Report Posted October 14, 2021 While Diakoku is occasionally depicted on sake bottles, in all of these three cases above (the two tsuba and the bottle shown by Thomas), the god depicted is Hotei. You can tell by the large, bare belly (a sign of Hotei not Diakoku). In addition, Hotei is the patron god of bar tenders, so that is why he is most often the one depicted on sake bottles. Quote
Toryu2020 Posted October 14, 2021 Report Posted October 14, 2021 Sure enough ー here's Daikoku... 1 Quote
Spartancrest Posted October 14, 2021 Author Report Posted October 14, 2021 Looks like no shortage of fat guys on the bottle - sounds familiar! 1 Quote
Ford Hallam Posted October 14, 2021 Report Posted October 14, 2021 It's amazing! After looking at tsuba, somewhat obsessively, for going on 40 years now I was beginning to think perhaps I'd seen most types and designs....and then this pops up And like buses, not just one. It's a brilliant concept, I can just imagine a Samurai putting on his 'drinking tsuba' before going out on the lash on a well earned night off. I need one now, myself. And how about a matching pair of menuki? https://www.aoijapan.com/menuki-mumei-sake-bottle/ 3 1 Quote
Spartancrest Posted October 14, 2021 Author Report Posted October 14, 2021 Matching menuki would be not only great but I would think very rare! But I have blown all my budget on the tsuba! I think you are right Ford they all come at once - I wish they would pace themselves a bit better. [we need a crying emoji!] 1 Quote
Spartancrest Posted June 7, 2022 Author Report Posted June 7, 2022 Long time coming but I found yet another Saké bottle, tanto size guard - https://www.pinterest.com.au/pin/562809284676231213/ Three in 41 years Ford? I wonder why they are all small? Quote
Spartancrest Posted August 1, 2022 Author Report Posted August 1, 2022 I know, it is a long time between drinks - Found this one in the British Museum. No ura view. Total four and counting. 1 1 Quote
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