Seeking input on unusual tsuka

[outlier48]

Hi all - I'm interested in any input on this tsuka currently on my wak. Nearly all the other tsuka I have seen have same under the tsuka-ito and separate menuki as well. This tsuka appears to have a tooled metal wrap in place of the same with no added menuki - rather the figures are part of the wrap itself. I think there is a general theme of an ume branch running through with a fisherman on one side and a seated figure (Bhudda?) on the other. Is this unusual? Do you think it could possibly have been made for this blade which has a carved ume branch and flowers horimono?

 

I also noted that there is only one meguki-ana in this tsuka - at least I have only found one. I don't think the "missing" hole is hidden by the tsuka-ito but it may be covered by the (metal?) wrap itself. Have anyone ever heard of this?

 

Thanks in advance for your comments.

 

Charlie

[Rich S]

In the second pic, there looks like there might be a plug just above

the first two horizontal ito and below the first cross-over ito.

On some metal plate tsuka, the design in the metal plate is the

menuki. Just some thoughts.

 

Rich

[outlier48]

Hi Rich - I had the same impression but I am no hurry to go poking around. It looks like the obvious plug is about to fall out! I will probably take the tsuka off this blade this weekend and carefully examine both the obvious plug and the one you noticed.

 

BTW, are metal plate tsuka rare or unusual, or, are they fairly common? Was there a particular era or province where they were made? Thanks for the input!

 

Charlie

[Rich S]

Charlie -

 

I think (?) the metal plate tsuka are not common. I've only seen a few

over the years. Not aware of any particular school or period of their use.

 

Rich S

[outlier48]

After a bit of research and pure luck, I have been able to determine the figure depicted on the metal cover of this tuska is Ebisu, one of the 7 gods of good fortune - shichifukujin - and the only one to have originated in Japan (not quite sure how gods originate ) Just another bit of interesting (I hope) info for the board.

 

Charlie

[Nobody]

I think that he is Hotei (布袋).

http://www.aisf.or.jp/~jaanus/deta/h/hotei.htm

[outlier48]

Thank you Moriyama-san! On closer inspection I have to agree.

 

lMaybe I need new glasses

 

Charlie