Tanto fittings

[Sifujohnholden]

Hi, has anyone got any information about the following items: 

1) the markings on the saya, if they represent anything. Been told they could be secret clan markings.

2) the tsuba, where it was made and in what period?

[cdrcm12]

Hi, the image on the saya looks to be a water dragon, see tsuba below.

 

 

The tsuba you show possible late edo Aizu Shoami or Mito school. Possibly autumn flowers.

[Brian]

No such thing as "secret clan markings"

[Ford Hallam]

2 hours ago, Brian said:

No such thing as "secret clan markings"

 

That's exactly what they want you to think. As Screwtape says, the Devil's best trick was convincing humankind he doesn't exist. 

[Spartancrest]

11 hours ago, Brian said:

No such thing as "secret clan markings"

That's right we all have the code book. 

 

 

This design was on a fuchi and a menuki. Rain dragon

           

 

 

 

The Kurikata looks like 'gama-hada' toad skin. 

12 hours ago, cdrcm12 said:

the image on the saya looks to be a water dragon

Colin I have 110 images of the 'rain dragon' design now - every one is slightly different - amazing so many utsushi were made, I am sure I have barely collected a tenth of what is still out there in private collections.

 

[Bugyotsuji]

I have a Netsuké like object with a similar design.

 

 

[Spartancrest]

                    

[Baka Gaijin]

Maybe not secret clan markings, but sometimes individual talismanic markings such as Bonji or elements related to Shingon Mikkyo in the form of Grid markings or the 9 line Kuji markings on Kaga Habaki.