Wakizashi Tsuba/Koshirae Theme

[moriarty]

Greetings everyone, 

 

As stated in the title, I've come to a stump regarding the theme of these fittings. My best guess for the menuki is a reference to 七福神 (Seven Gods of Fortune), but it may be a stretch. Any help or opinion is welcome. 

 

 

                  Many thanks in advance, 

                                                    Maurice

[Dan tsuba]

Hi Maurice!

Don't know about the theme of the menuki.

But maybe the tsuba theme is some sort of Shachi or dragon fish?

I refer you to the below thread-

 

https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/27098-shachi-dragon-fish/

 

 

[Matsunoki]

I think the tsuba depicts rain dragons.

[Matsunoki]

The menuki could represent assorted symbols of wealth and good fortune often depicted aboard the Takarabune accompanied by the seven lucky Gods. …. I see jewels, a mallet, a purse etc. Also a hat that looks like Shoki’s.

[Spartancrest]

       

The best clue is the bifurcated tail - it seems rain dragons have a split tail.

 

The tsuka decoration is likely related to "The Seven Lucky Gods".  The gods carry with them takaramono (宝物), or treasure things, including the hat of invisibility (隠れ笠, kakuregasa), rolls of brocade (織物, orimono), the inexhaustible purse (金袋 kanebukuro), the secret keys to the treasure shed of the gods (鍵 kagi), the scrolls of books of wisdom and life (巻き物 makimono), the magic mallet (小槌 kozuchi), the lucky raincoat (隠れ蓑, kakuremino), the robe of fairy feathers (羽衣, hagoromo), and the bag of fortune (布袋 nunobukuro) At New Years the Gods are said to pilot through the heavens and into human ports a mythical ship called the Takarabune, or "Treasure Ship". 

  You might find the symbols match your tsuka from some of these images 

[Spartancrest]

On 12/15/2024 at 3:14 AM, moriarty said:

Any help or opinion is welcome. 

It would seem your tsuba is not unique [not many are ]    64 mm x 58 mm

 

[SteveM]

The theme of the menuki is referred to as takarazukushi (宝尽くし) lit. abundance of treasures, filled with treasures. It is a theme that is also found on kimono fabrics, and features the lucky items shown on Dale's post above. 

[moriarty]

7 hours ago, Spartancrest said:

It would seem your tsuba is not unique [not many are ]    64 mm x 58 mm

 

Interesting find Dale! 

 

Thanks for the pictures