a bit of a puzzle for tsubaphiles

[Ford Hallam]

Hi Piers,

 

  Quote

Talking with a Japanese friend today I mentioned these two slots and he immediately said Kakuri Kurishitan. I said, nope, ...Ford said that that was the one thing we are not allowed to say. He looked astonished and said "Who's Ford? Everyone knows it's a hidden cross." Then I thought to myself, why do we have to swallow that very first restriction put upon us. Why, Ford, why? :lol:

 

Now I'm the astonished one, you mean to say he didn't know who I was ...poor man I hope you enlightened him The reason I wanted to exclude that "hidden cross" option was precisely because everyone ( well, some people :D ) posit that explanation. I am not all that convinced. A cross is such a common thing in all sorts of situations that we could find evidence of hidden Christians almost every where :D .

 

I was hoping that perhaps we might uncover some more tangible evidence. A rapier with just such a guard on it might be nice. Perhaps someone would be able to see if such an opening does in fact correspond in any general way to the tang of a rapier etc.

[bluboxer]

Good day,how is this Ford?

1873 Toledo rapier.Extra support for the guard to protect a slender hilt/tsuka(ivory or bone) from stress.

Alan

[cspage]

Wow! That is an awesome piece of evidence. What ingenuity. While perhaps not the difinitive answer to the question, this entry is evidence of the wonderful craftsmanship of weaponry in general. Thank you.

 

Colin

[Ford Hallam]

those are brilliant Images, Alan, thanks

 

I'd love to see how a namban tsuba with such a slot would actually fit on a rapier now....interesting.

[bluboxer]

After thinking about the extra side slots in this tsuba I recalled some Spanish pikes and spontoons (a smaller pike for higher ranks and as a signalling device) having langets or tines that extended downwards from the head.These were used to secure a pole grooved to accept the langet on either side.Some of the spontoons were quite ornate.Then I googled and came up with this.Hanwei even sells them;

http://www.kultofathena.com/product~ite ... r+Head.htm

 

 

Alan