Tsuba design question...

[Soshin]

Hello, tosogu forum. Had this tsuba for awhile it was one of the first tsuba I ever purchased about seven to eight years ago from Japan. Not sure of the design motif but I was thinking on the lines of a signal large cherry blossom done in kage-sukashi (影絵透). This is a common method used for blossoms. Does anyone else have any ideas in terms of what the design is. As for the tsuba age I was told at purchase that it was made during the late Edo period which I agree with in terms of the overall size, color (black with blown overtones) of the sabi. Comments and educated guesses as to the design are welcome. Below is a omote side scan of the tsuba let me know if you need me to scan the ura side but the design is the same on both sides. Sorry for the dust and lint on this scan of the tsuba. Thank you.

 

 

 

Yours truly,

David S.

[Nobody]

There is no response for now. So, I try to guess.

Four butterflies ...................(but unsure)

[Baka Gaijin]

Good morning all,

 

To add to Moriyama san's observation.

 

If we look at the lines that radiate from the centre to the edge, each one has a one sided bump.

 

The slight curl reminded me of a proboscis.

 

I'll take Moriyama san's observation a step further and suggest Macroglossum Stellatarum - The Japanese Hummingbird Hawkmoth:

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macroglossum_stellatarum

 

Cheers

 

Malcolm

[Soshin]

Good morning all,

 

To add to Moriyama san's observation.

 

If we look at the lines that radiate from the centre to the edge, each one has a one sided bump.

 

The slight curl reminded me of a proboscis.

 

I'll take Moriyama san's observation a step further and suggest Macroglossum Stellatarum - The Japanese Hummingbird Hawkmoth:

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macroglossum_stellatarum

 

Cheers

 

Malcolm

Thanks for the wonderful observations Moriyama-san and Malcolm. I would agree the design is the Japanese Hummingbird Hawkmoth. Moriyama-san what would be the Japanese (Romanji and Kanji) for Japanese Hummingbird Hawkmoth? This will help me apply my learning of Japanese to a hobby. I know that butterflies and moths are also frequently executed in kage-sukashi (影絵透). I have a much older Ko-Shoami tsuba dating from the Momoyama period that is of butterflies done in kage-sukashi (影絵透). Not sure if the tsuba in question can be attributed to a specific school as it was produced so late in the Edo period but I think a good starting point would be Shoami.

 

 

 

Yours truly,

David S.

[Ford Hallam]

I think they're lotus drooping leaves, the stem outlined against the down turned body of the leaf.

[Nobody]

................................

Moriyama-san what would be the Japanese (Romanji and Kanji) for Japanese Hummingbird Hawkmoth?

.................

Its name in Japanese is Hojaku (蜂雀), which literally means a bee-like sparrow.

[Soshin]

I think they're lotus drooping leaves, the stem outlined against the down turned body of the leaf.

Interesting idea Ford once I did some thinking about it and also did some searching on the internet of photographs for lotus leaves. Here is a good photograph of lotus leaves for reference. The interesting thing is both the leaves and stems are radiating out from the seppa-dai. I wonder if anyone knows of a tsuba with a similar lotus leaves done in kage-sukashi (影絵透) and the lotus stems done in Ji-sukashi (地透)? I am sure there is likely a number of earlier tsuba that used this or very similar designs.

 

 

Its name in Japanese is Hojaku (蜂雀), which literally means a bee-like sparrow.

Thanks again for the information Moriyama-san.

 

 

 

Yours truly,

David S.

[Henry Wilson]

This Kanayama tsuba of mine is probably of two Lotus leaves facing each other. Turn it 90 degs and it is more obvious.

 

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=8011&p=65424&hilit=kanayama#p65424

[Soshin]

This Kanayama tsuba of mine is probably of two Lotus leaves facing each other. Turn it 90 degs and it is more obvious.

This is generally true for Kanayama tsuba. The sukashi design is often turned on their axis if I remember correctly. I would say that Henry's fine Kanayama school tsuba has a very similar theme but the method of execution is very different. I also find it interesting in the post linked by Henry that their was also a debate if the design was butterflies/moths or lotus leaves.

 

 

 

Yours truly,

David S.