Help in identifying a tsuba theme

[zanilu]

Dear NMB members,

I have recently acquired a small tsuba, measuring 67 mm x 64 mm. While it appears to be Heianjo Zogan, I believe further study is needed to confirm its classification.

 

 

The seller suggested that the design might be a hidden Christian motif, given the presence of two distinct figures amidst the arabesque patterns. But I have some doubts about that.

 

 

One of the figures seems to be riding a horse - though I am not entirely sure, as this impression changes depending on how I view it - while the other figure appears to have a raised hand. Both figures seem to be wearing a billowing scarf around their shoulders and heads, which reminds me of the depictions of certain gods, such as Benzaiten, in Japanese art.

 

 

Unfortunately, Japanese folklore and iconography are areas where my knowledge is quite limited, and I realize this is something I need to improve upon.

 

I would greatly appreciate any insights or guidance you can provide in identifying the theme of this tsuba.

 

Best regards,

Luca

[moriarty]

Greetings Luca, 

 

In my humble opinion, both icons reflect Buddhist nuns. Especially with the head coverings and poses. Please compare this image at your own discretion. 

Best of luck in your research

 

 

                                            Kind Regards

[Bugyotsuji]

It could be based on the Chinese novel Journey to the West, where the horse is one of the set characters. (Saiyuki, the origins of Monkey Magic.) The priest on the horse has ambivalent sexuality, sometimes portrayed as female.

White Dragon Horse - Wikipedia

[zanilu]

Thank you both Piers and Moriarty. I will check both possibilities. 

 

Luca

[Spartancrest]

Probably way off here but the hitsu shape reminded me of a Tibetan/Burmese Buddhist ritual gong. I am not at all sure if something similar is in the Japanese list of ritual implements? 

[Yumso]

My sister and I've talked bit about this an understood those 2 figures like this;

Human on the left has 羽衣, and the top one looks as if he or she is changing from or to a tree.

So I think it could be 

 

1. Daoism and Buddhism - Buddha and the Bodhi Tree
2. Takemonogatari - Kaguya princess's born and leave 

[Bugyotsuji]

5 hours ago, Spartancrest said:

Probably way off here but the hitsu shape reminded me of a Tibetan/Burmese Buddhist ritual gong. I am not at all sure if something similar is in the Japanese list of ritual implements? 

Dale, I have seen examples of these in Japan. Including I seem to recall in an exhibition at the Kyoto National Museum.

 

See　(Kei)　There seem to be two possible kanji for it, but my PC doesn't contain them...銅馨?

仏教楽器馨 - 検索 画像 (bing.com)

https://aucview.aucf...om/yahoo/g198708498/

 

Also,

 

 

[zanilu]

5 hours ago, Yumso said:

My sister and I've talked bit about this an understood those 2 figures like this;

Human on the left has 羽衣, and the top one looks as if he or she is changing from or to a tree.

So I think it could be 

 

1. Daoism and Buddhism - Buddha and the Bodhi Tree
2. Takemonogatari - Kaguya princess's born and leave 

Thank you for the information @Yumso.

 

I looked briefly into it but I can not understand how 1 and 2 can be related! 

 

Can you elaborate a little bit more?

 

 

[Yumso]

My bad.

What I meant was that I thought there could be 2 seperate possibilities- either 1 or 2.

 

[zanilu]

Thank you for the clarification!

[Bugyotsuji]

Personally speaking I like the dealer's original supposition, that it could be a Christian theme. The cross would certainly look that way from a distance.

 

If you got pulled by the authorities, though, you could accuse them of being blind, can they not see the clear Buddhist motifs along the rim and throughout? To me this is another example of built-in deniability factor. Because it treads a fine line, however, we will forever argue as to the absolute validity one way or the other.

 

Remember we can find many Mary or Christ statues which can be reversed to become a Kannon statue, for example.

[zanilu]

You are probably right Piers! 

 

Since any Christian iconography have to be disguised for obvious reasons, it is probable we will never know. If we can see the reference  to Christian  religion also will any Bakufu official, if well idden it will be also for us!

 

Regards

Luca