Abumi Decorations

[hddennis]

Found this picture of a beautiful abumi online. I know it appears to have  theme of  Mons but then I remembered reading about hidden Christian symbols. Could this be one of those or is it definitely a family crest?

 

Howard Dennis

[Brian]

It's definitely nothing to do with Christianity.

[Bugyotsuji]

Begging to disagree a little here. The family using these two mon must have had Christian ancestry.

Check out the Patonce and Fleurie crosses, and the bladed cross used by the Hachisuka, both of which one of the above two varieties seems to comprise. 

 

Fleur-de-lis Cross (seiyaku.com)

[Brian]

Respectfully, clutching at straws. Every 4 sided shape suddenly becomes a Christian symbol. WHY would they have done that? Half the mon out there can be considered crosses if you tilt your head sideways, blur your eyes and squint. Not to mention that sometimes shapes are just shapes. Decorative. Not every shape has a meaning I suspect.
Just my option, but I do not believe these have anything to do with Christianity. Especially not something designed for you to step on. I think the East has something about showing the bottom of your feet? Hmmm
 

[Bugyotsuji]

The upper part of Abumi probably get a free pass as they are included in 馬具Bagu, horse armour, and definitely a place to show off inlay in precious metals.

 

Just flipping through my Mon book (I couldn’t let this one drop! …) I found this page about how Christianity grew exponentially with the arrival of Xavier in Kagoshima in 1549~ onwards.

These are listed here as Catholic, Jesuit (Christian) Mon.

(久留子 Kurusu or Kurosu top right indicates the Christian cross, it explains.)

 

 

 

[hddennis]

3 hours ago, Bugyotsuji said:

The upper part of Abumi probably get a free pass as they are included in 馬具Bagu, horse armour, and definitely a place to show off inlay in precious metals.

 

Just flipping through my Mon book (I couldn’t let this one drop! …) I found this page about how Christianity grew with the arrival of Xavier in Kagoshima in 1549~ onwards.

These are listed here as Catholic, Jesuit (Christian) Mon.

(久留子 Kurusu or Kurosu top right indicates cross, it explains.)

 

 

 

Interesting as site also had this abumi.

[Bugyotsuji]

Hmmm… both from Ka-Shū too. Did they come from a collector, or a storehouse, or is the inlay work modern? Interesting finds.

[hddennis]

Was holding location trying to decide if I should buy it when wife said we have NO more room so here is link hope someone else can enjoy them.

 

https://www.etsy.com/shop/Kahedin?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1371967914

 

Howard Dennis

[Brian]

ONE abumi? Why does he have ONE of each?
That is odd and frustrating.

[b.hennick]

Both are quite nice. The asking price is cheap when compared to a tsuba. But one cufflink isn't too good. 

[Bugyotsuji]

The prices of abumi have dropped in recent years, although some people have been quietly building collections in the meantime. Single abumi are quite popular as decorative pieces, when combined with a small potted plant for example. Also they are massively heavy, so postage becomes a concern for a pair. For these reasons, some dealers possibly see/saw they could make more from two singles than from a pair...