Backwards rider

[kissakai]

I have bought a today tsuba with the samurai riding backwards on his horse wearing a big hat with his retainer

I'm sure I read about this person but can't find where. A search on the internet wasn't successful

Can anyone help?

 

 

[Spartancrest]

Henri Joly's "Legends in Japanese Art"  has - 

SANKAN. Chinese philosopher, who is represented riding on a horse backwards so as to admire the scenery away from which he is travelling.

CHOKWARO: is sometimes also shown riding backwards.

This one rides a Bull not a horse,

SHOHAKU: was a priest of noble lineage who assumed the name Botankwa (peony flower) for some unknown reason.
He is usually depicted sitting on a bull with gilt horns, or decorated with peonies, reading a book, or admiring the scenery. Often enough he does so riding with his face towards the tail of his mount, like the Chinese poet Sankan.

[Spartancrest]

This guard has a nobleman who looks either to be riding backward or looking back over his shoulder?

[kissakai]

This will be the one and I'll check it out. I thought I'd remember it from somewhere

SANKAN. Chinese philosopher, who is represented riding on a horse backwards so as to admire the scenery away from which he is travelling.

 

Date his feet are backwards as well so it's not a turned head

I think you nailed it in your first post

 

[roger dundas]

Might it be Zhang Guolao and his mule ?

I have one such tsuba, a very nice one depicting him, one of the eight Taoist immortals and the most eccentric, living between 650 to 750ad, was a great traveler and was mostly depicted riding his mule sometimes backward wearing a traveler's straw hat. He was born old and is the patron of elderly men, his image believed to bring long life and a good death. 

I wonder what it is about riding a horse or mule backwards?

Roger j            

[Spartancrest]

The good old days are always behind us - of course there is the mule, oblivious, moving like time - further away from them. Looking back gives you a horses arse  perspective! 

[kissakai]

Just photographed this tsuba

 

 

 

 

 

[Spartancrest]

Another possibility for you - https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/45222

Monk Renshō Riding His Horse Backwards. A hero of the Genpei War (1180–1185), real name Kumagai Naozane

[kissakai]

This must be right as his retainer appears to be carrying a sword lacquered box

 

[Spartancrest]

Grev, there is a similar tsuba in the Cleveland Art Museum number 1919.385 The image is a little difficult to make out the face of the rider but his hat tilts in the same direction as yours - his attendant is on the ura side. The museum just describes him as a "Traveller"

[kissakai]

It looks like your shows the companion with a similar weapon

 

[Spartancrest]

Hey Grev, do you need a matching Kashira? Needs some cleaning but the figure and mule/horse are very close.

https://www.jauce.com/auction/r1076480596

[kissakai]

Thanks Dale but not one for me