Tsuba with unknown decoration

[EdWolf]

I'm intrigued by this tsuba. I can't read the whole signature but it looks like yamayoshi. Please correct me if I'm wrong. The decoration consist of black spots and a few lines. At an angle the decoration is clearly visible. Does anyone know what these spots and line represents? Please feel free to comment.

 

[Matsunoki]

Lines probably pine needles. ……and maybe pine cones

eg

https://www.Japanese...-needles-iron-tsuba/

Edited October 21, 2023 by Matsunoki
Added link

[Spartancrest]

I think Colin has it with the pine needles, they are reasonably common, the dots not so much. Have you noticed the faint Amida-yasuri [radiating lines]? Very neat ategane part infill in the hitsu. Must have been mounted several times.

An Ito Sukashi with pine needle from https://www.Japanese...i-tsuba-pine-needle/

     From the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

[EdWolf]

Colin, thank you very much. I wouldn't guessed the pine needles theme. Thanks Dale for posting other examples. I have noticed the faint Amida-yasuri. Almost like woodgrain. Although a tsuba with a simple design I like it a lot. A pleasure to watch.

Thanks again guys for helping me out! 

[Nobody]

尾州 - Bishu

山吉兵 - Yamakichibei

 

[EdWolf]

Thank you very much Moriyama San! 

[Steve Waszak]

"Yamakichibei," yes, but gimei.  

[EdWolf]

I was already expecting it was gimei after reading this article 

https://varshavskyco.../yamakichibei-tsuba/

Thank you for confirming Steve.

[Winchester]

Pine needles symbolize friendship.

[Spartancrest]

31 minutes ago, Winchester said:

Pine needles symbolize friendship.

Yes - Smile or I will take the sword out of the saya! 

[rematron]

I like the pine needle motif a lot but I have yet to add the theme to my collection. 
 

This is a quote from here on NMB. I’ve seen the same explanation other places but I don’t remember where. It’s quite a a beautiful and romantic notion.