Tsuba design

[kissakai]

I bought a few tsuba from Steve W recently and are in the post

I'd like to know about the design if possible.

I've never seen on like this and it intrigues me the most

Ken shape comes to mind but surely not. So unknown radial shapes and radial circles

 

 

Second one. I can only see the moon. Crude Myochin?

 

 

[Alex A]

Probably wrong, but when i first saw the design, reminded me of a mace.

 

http://gunbai-militaryhistory.blogspot.com/2018/04/kanabou-samurais-mace.html

 

 

[Bugyotsuji]

Have a look at the Buddhist wheel of the law. 宝輪　Hōrin or Rinpō 輪宝 which has Ken bladed spokes.

https://www.google.co.jp/search?q=剣宝輪&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=ja-jp&client=safari#imgrc=1xw7Pslmg96nmM

 

https://www.google.co.jp/search?q=剣輪宝&client=safari&hl=ja-jp&sxsrf=ALiCzsafW8e2d9YOLpXJeAjU4QafxaShQA%3A1664205056092&ei=AMExY6-lBfCGhbIP_tKEyA0&oq=剣輪宝&gs_lcp=ChNtb2JpbGUtZ3dzLXdpei1zZXJwEAM6BwgAEEcQsAM6BQgAEIAEOgcIABCABBAXSgQIQRgAULwbWMNKYPVOaANwAHgBgAFYiAHCBJIBATeYAQCgAQHIAQPAAQE&sclient=mobile-gws-wiz-serp

[Alex A]

Must admit, thought it was a bit weird for a Ken shape with the exaggerated width, but there are similar examples in Piers link.

[kissakai]

The links shows this:

Rinpo is a symbol of Buddhist temples and Hindu temples. There are various theories, but it is said that it was originally a weapon, a wheel, or a mandala. It became a family crest because of its religious significance.
 

[Alex A]

Not quite same as your tsuba though, with the pointy bits, another interpretation maybe.

 

 

[MauroP]

Good catch, Grev!
Here a very close one described as 輪宝図鐔 - rinbō zu tsuba, and attributed as Hōan.

[Curran]

The one you bought from Steve is probably mid Hoan.

Maybe kodai Hoan.   I thought about buying it.  Very good bargain compared the last two of that design that I saw.

   --I had to slap my hand away, and only bought one of Steve's listings.

 

There is another very wallet friendly Higo Kamiyoshi up that someone should do me the favor and buy.

I'm really trying to save up for something and have to pass up a loud (maybe not screaming, but loud) bargain.

 

 

[Curran]

Oh yes:

 

The theme:  12 Kens, right?

The magical #12 for the Buddhists. Theme comes up as the "12 Generals" or the "12 Stars"  or the "12 Swords".

 

I will have go go digging in my notes. I ran into the explanation within the last year, thanks to a dealer's website in Japan.

 

[Alex A]

Good bit of info on these now.

 

Still think they look more like Kanabou then Ken though 

 

 

 

 

[Toryu2020]

I believe you're second tsuba does not feature the moon but rather a magatama. It is very roughly done but I think your theme is takaramono.