Oh no! - not another iron dragon tsuba?

[Matsunoki]

Hello again from a chilly damp UK

Continuing my predilection for dragon tsuba I thought I’d put this one up for any comments, opinions etc. I’m guessing it’s nothing special…..a fairly “generic” 19thC piece?.??…but I liked it. It’s a large katana tsuba H8.4cm W7.8cm T5mm with shakudo plugs and a pleasing dark plummy brown\black patina (with a few highlights). Same rural auction as the spider web and the large brass crab items.

All help is most welcome. Many thanks. 

Regards.Colin

[Geraint]

Dear Colin.

 

Nothing generic about that one for me, a nicely carved dragon with some movement, interesting clouds  and not a design that I've seen before.  Nice tsuba!

 

All the best.

[rematron]

I like the single large and centered water droplet (?) at the top on the reverse side.  Put there with purpose.  

[Matsunoki]

  On 3/6/2023 at 6:18 PM, rematron said:

water droplet (?)

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It’s a tama (jewel) which dragons seem to be perpetually chasing. Dragons are also guardians of jewels….many legends on the subject.

[MauroP]

Nice tsuba, I'd say Hizen.