Salmon(?) Themed Fuchi Kashira

[Guest Simon R]

Any ideas regarding the motif of this set would be appreciated.

It seems to be salmon with gold balls in their mouths plus other, unknown symbols.

 

Cheers.

[Matsunoki]

They remind me a Shachihoko…..dragon fish??. Maybe chasing flaming pearls?

[Dan tsuba]

Hello Simon, 

 

I think the motif is Shiachi dragon fish?

 

I have a tsuba with a similar motif (shown below).

 

With respect,

Dan

[Kurikata]

Please refer to this thread:

 

[ROKUJURO]

It is clearly salmon for me (not smoked yet) plus stars and FUNDO, by KUNIYOSHI with KAO. It has a HIRADO/HIZEN feeling for me.

[Stephen]

Does it have wings? No, so ther ya go.

[Matsunoki]

Never seen salmon with a beard and bushy eyebrows 🙂🙂

[rematron]

There are plenty of examples of 'Dragon Fish' posted in the above referenced thread that do not have wings, so it seems like a valid question to me.  Is this (below and borrowed from the referenced thread) a salmon?  It has a similar nose as the OP.  I believe the central jewel depicted in the OP fuchi kashira might also be a hint that it's a shachi because of its inclusion.  Not sure why there would be a jewel associated with salmon but I'm a beginner and might not have been exposed to that yet.

 

[1kinko]

These are salmon returning to freshwater when the tips on the jaws grow inwards to form hooked jaws. This would be the most commonly encountered form that anyone but fishermen would be familiar with. Not usually the best eating but still pretty good with sufficient soy and sake.  At least 1 of the dragon fish shown above have jaws that flare outwards.

[Guest Simon R]

11 hours ago, ROKUJURO said:

It is clearly salmon for me (not smoked yet) plus stars and FUNDO, by KUNIYOSHI with KAO. It has a HIRADO/HIZEN feeling for me.

Can you please tell me what FUNDO is?

I'm assuming it's the gold double circle with copper flames(?) on both pieces but don't know the symbolism.

 

Thank you.

 

Addendum: Sorry, strike the above; I know what FUNDO 分銅 is now - a Japanese weight. 👍

 

However, I'm still completely in the dark as to the large gold and copper symbol.

[Stephen]

6 hours ago, Matsunoki said:

Never seen salmon with a beard and bushy eyebrows 🙂🙂

Sockeye 

[Stephen]

5 hours ago, rematron said:

There are plenty of examples of 'Dragon Fish' posted in the above referenced thread that do not have wings, so it seems like a valid question to me.  Is this (below and borrowed from the referenced thread) a salmon?  It has a similar nose as the OP.  I believe the central jewel depicted in the OP fuchi kashira might also be a hint that it's a shachi because of its inclusion.  Not sure why there would be a jewel associated with salmon but I'm a beginner and might not have been exposed to that yet.

 

That has wings

[Matsunoki]

I reckon here the artist has created a hybrid creature which is nothing unusual. I can’t see a pure dragonfish nor a pure salmon. IMO the  large gilt/copper sphere with flames?? is a water jewel. So, compromise??🙂🙂

Best. Colin.

[Spartancrest]

Salmon have a downward curving top jaw - most dragon fish either have a dragon head or upward curling top jaw - but there is a lot of 'Artistic license' going on with a lot of images - especially when you consider the Shachi  creature is mythical, - at least I can't find a photograph of one 

[ROKUJURO]

11 hours ago, Simon R said:

.....However, I'm still completely in the dark as to the large gold and copper symbol.

Yes, it is not obvious, but it might be a TAMA, as Colin suggested.

[FlorianB]

Yes, I know it seems to be a fishy creature, but somehow it reminded me also to a wild boar.

Like these:

(Seen on https://nihontofranc...inko-menuki/?lang=en (sold item))

 

Obviously a cross between different animals surrounded by lucky charms. Haven't seen this before!

 

Best, Florian

 

 

[Spartancrest]

Salmon and rat themed F/K  - https://www.jauce.com/auction/s1120830360   or   https://buyee.jp/ite.../auction/s1120830360

[Kurikata]

completed with a same topic kozuka.....

[Guest Simon R]

On 1/9/2024 at 6:09 PM, Matsunoki said:

I reckon here the artist has created a hybrid creature which is nothing unusual. I can’t see a pure dragonfish nor a pure salmon. IMO the  large gilt/copper sphere with flames?? is a water jewel. So, compromise??🙂🙂

Best. Colin.

I think you've nailed it with the 'tide jewels', Colin.

This wood block is of the dragon-god of the sea presenting the jewels to his human son-in-law - and it looks like a pretty good match. 👍

[Matsunoki]

Well, if indeed they are jewels then it would suggest that the beasts are intended to suggest Schachihoko albeit with artistic licence. I’ve never encountered any link between salmon and tama. Also the salmon illustrated above are dried/dedicated ie a traditional food source …. Hence the rats! IMO😊

[Spartancrest]

4 hours ago, Kurikata said:

completed with a same topic kozuka.....

Well we better include the menuki as well - https://www.aoijapan...-design-is-engraved/

minus the rats! 

[Guest Simon R]

1 hour ago, Matsunoki said:

Well, if indeed they are jewels then it would suggest that the beasts are intended to suggest Schachihoko albeit with artistic licence. I’ve never encountered any link between salmon and tama. Also the salmon illustrated above are dried/dedicated ie a traditional food source …. Hence the rats! IMO😊

Japanese artists have a unique way of representing nature sometimes!

For example, these rather crude menuki apparently show trios of sharks. I just couldn't see it myself until I found the woodblock print entitled 'sharks'.

[Matsunoki]

2 hours ago, Simon R said:

For example, these rather crude menuki apparently show trios of sharks.

Just to be awkward….Methinks they are not sharks…..the “form/appearance”  is all wrong for sharks on both the print and the menuki. I would suggest Ayu…..sweetfish. A favourite Japanese delicacy ….

 

[Toryu2020]

I would go with Shachihoko - all the other symbols are "treasures", symbols of good fortune. A dragon fish is half of each but a symbol of becoming something great. Were they presented with a withered look then you could argue salmon. mho.

 

-tch

[Guest Simon R]

21 minutes ago, Matsunoki said:

Just to be awkward….Methinks they are not sharks…..the “form/appearance”  is all wrong for sharks on both the print and the menuki. I would suggest Ayu…..sweetfish. A favourite Japanese delicacy ….

 

They are so badly executed you are probably right!