Kinko tsuba- erotic undertones?

[Matsunoki]

Hello all, posting this as usual for thoughts, interest etc…..
It’s a lovely quality shakudo small wakizashi tsuba with rich inlay that at first seems quite simple and straightforward.
We have a kimono stand with a luxurious kimono draped over it on the ura and continued onto the omote, then we have a large wash basin and apparently a sake cup. It’s not until you examine the very small inlaid partially unrolled scroll that you see without doubt it depicts the beginning of a shunga scroll. That changes things a bit🙂

I’ve seen a great many tsuba but never one hinting at such an encounter…..but then I’ve led a very sheltered life.

I wonder if it represents an episode from The Tales of Genji?

I’m amazed it doesn’t carry a “good” Mei. Quality is superb.

Any views?

Many thanks and all the best.

Colin

[BIG]

May be famous handscroll with the 36 immortal poets..

 

https://www.metmuseu...ection/search/670923

 

Best

[Matsunoki]

57 minutes ago, BIG said:

May be famous handscroll with the 36 immortal poets..

Peter, hello. Thanks for looking.

The scroll on the tsuba shows a man and woman on a quilt. .She appears to lie back on a pillow or cushion. He appears to wear a court cap. It looks like the start of a romantic encounter🙂 as depicted in many a shunga scroll. 

Is there anything specific that points to the Poets scroll? Were any “encounters” depicted?

of course my interpretation could be wrong.

 

[rematron]

I like that one very much, Colin! Putting the “kink” in kinko?