Patterns on Tsuba

[Martin]

Hi all,

 

I decided to rename this thread in order to get some opinions :D

I doubt that it will reach 14 pages like our best viewed thread, but who knows :lol:

I would be most satisfied with half of them :D

 

As far as I researched, this Tsuba has a design of Matsu or Pine needles.

Is it a common design on Fittings and does it have any special meaning (i.e. luck or transience)?

 

cheers,

Martin

[Martin]

I also see a family crest:

 

[Rich T]

I cannot see a family crest ?, but I can see a single cherry blossom flower and pine needles. So I am thinking Spring and Autumn maybe. The seasons are popular as a theme on Kodogu. The guard could be Kyo, either Kyo Sukashi or Kyo Shoami, or maybe even Kodai Hoan as an outside guess.

 

Cheers

 

Rich

[Curran]

The symbology of Pine needles-

 

In Japanese art they often appear as one broken & one normal.

This is a symbol of loyalty and fidelity. Even broken - the broken needle- (even in death) you are not alone, but rather paired with another.

 

This is your pairing with your lord, your daimyo, your superior, your wife, and those underneath you.

 

Thats the idea.

 

 

Curran

[Martin]

Hi Curran and Rich,

 

thanks for your replies.

The symbology of pine needles sounds really nice.

As does the contrast between Spring and Autumn as Rich thinks.

 

I think there once was a Fukurin (rim cover) attached, because I can spot a small notch on the bottom side (1).

As I think this is a pre Edo piece - were the Fukurin added later on as an additional ornament or were they planned from beginning?

 

I am still wondering about the interconnections (2) highlighted in BLUE.

Could these be the broken needles (3)?

 

cheers,

Martin

[Henry Wilson]

I have a Heianjyo tsuba with brass inlay of pine neebles. I think it is quite a common design. I think that the blue and the red lines are the same and represent the broken neeble of the pair and all the needles are resting on the overall all design of a sakura.

[Bungo]

the blue is where the pine needles bend............

 

milt the ronin

[Martin]

Hi,

 

I guess my picture was a little mistakable, sorry.

I meant that all the blue marked connections are part of a broken needle like shown in (3).

 

cheers,

Martin

[Bungo]

 

you mean the " Y " near the base of the pine needles ?

As Rich mentioned........... the " Y " represent cherry blossom petals, taken together, the " y "'s form a flower.

 

 

milt the ronin

[Martin]

Okay Milt,

 

sorry for the confusion but believe me - if I had to describe it with words, it would be much more terrible :D

 

So here is the Sakura and the broken needles like I see them.

Any ideas on the guess that there once was a Fukurin attached?

 

cheers,

Martin

[Nobody]

So here is the Sakura and the broken needles like I see them.

I can see the same image as you imagine. But the blossom looks like Ume (梅: Japanese apricot) rather than Sakura (桜: cherry). As my sense, Ume blossoms match pine needles better than Sakura.

[Stever]

As my sense, Ume blossoms match pine needles better than Sakura

 

Interesting comment, Koichi san. Care to elaborate? How do they 'match better'? What is the photo of (and why is the pine needle there)?

 

thanks,

[nagamaki - Franco]

So here is the Sakura and the broken needles like I see them.

I can see the same image as you imagine. But the blossom looks like Ume (梅: Japanese apricot) rather than Sakura (桜: cherry). As my sense, Ume blossoms match pine needles better than Sakura.

 

Will agree, sakura blossoms are slightly different in shape, see image below. Ume blossoms are plum blossoms, if not mistaken, and often used in tosogu.

[Nobody]

As my sense, Ume blossoms match pine needles better than Sakura

 

Interesting comment, Koichi san. Care to elaborate? How do they 'match better'? What is the photo of (and why is the pine needle there)?

 

thanks,

There is a word “Sho-Chiku-Bai (松竹梅)â€. It means pine (Matsu), bamboo (Take), and plum (Ume), and they are also called “Saikan no sanyu (歳寒三友 = three friends in winter)â€. Matsu and Take are always green even in winters. And Ume bloom blossoms in cold winter. They have been loved as symbols of integrity, and have been popular motif in paintings and other various arts. Also they are used as symbols of happy events.

 

BTW, the photo shows Japanese-style confectionery with Ume and Matsu motif.

[Rich T]

I have learnt something here today, very informative. You are always a good teacher :-)

 

Cheers mate

 

Rich

[Martin]

Hi Koichi-San and others,

 

thanks very much for your thoughts and your instructive information.

 

greetings from the summerly Germany,