Help identifying a Kamon

[Dan Ryan]

Hi All, I was looking for some help getting information about the Kamon on this sword, or any other information pertaining to this sword. Thanks

[uwe]

Hi Dan,

 

I think you refer to the sukashi on the double habaki. This might be a variation of a cherry blossom. Not sure it’s meant as a mon, though!!

The sword is a naginata naoshi wakizashi from the shintō period. I’ll leave the rest to the experts here….

[Bruce Pennington]

I'm no expert on these at all, and Uwe could be right.  There are many artsy shapes that make it into habaki.  So a sakura, or cherry flower, which was highly valued imagery, could simply be all it is.  My very meager search attempts did come up with a sakura mon that is similar, but not the same:

Yamazakura mon.jpg500 × 500; 15 KB

[Bugyotsuji]

Note also that is a *sukashi sakura, which is an important aspect in distinguishing Mon.
 

*openwork

[uwe]

Hi Bruce!
 

There are many variations of the different pattern's. So it’s sometimes very tricky to pin the right one down…🤓

I can post some examples?!

[Dan Ryan]

That would be great! Thanks

 

[uwe]

Here is a small selection of variants of sakura based mon...

 

[Dan Ryan]

I did read this recently about a different Tsuba from the Edo period. Mine also has what could be wheat. Thoughts?

 

“Some people believe the god of grain exists in cherry blossom; therefore, this flower pattern has been treated as a rich harvest symbol.”

[SteveM]

Bamboo grass (笹), I think. 

[Bugyotsuji]

松竹梅 Sho-chiku-bai are traditional symbols of longevity. Your tsuba has sho 松 pine and 竹 low-growing bamboo, plus a sage (Jurojin/Fukurokuju?) and another symbol of longevity, a crane. We might also expect a tortoise somewhere!