{"id":19585,"date":"2021-09-23T21:51:07","date_gmt":"2021-09-23T12:51:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.samuraimuseum.jp\/shop\/?p=19585"},"modified":"2025-05-09T08:51:35","modified_gmt":"2025-05-08T23:51:35","slug":"episode-7-design-others%e2%91%a1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.samuraimuseum.jp\/shop\/episode-7-design-others%e2%91%a1\/","title":{"rendered":"Episode 7: DESIGN -OTHERS\u2461-"},"content":{"rendered":"

Episode 7: DESIGN -OTHERS\u2461-<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0Welcome back to the Tsuba Archives. We appreciate your interest in antique Japanese sword mountings.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0From the previous time, we treat other designs. We hope you will also enjoy this chapter.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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INDEX<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u2466Moon (\u6708, Tsuki)<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u2467Fan (\u6247, Ougi)<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u2468Arrow (\u77e2, Ya)<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u2469Takaradukushi (\u5b9d\u5c3d\u304f\u3057)<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u246aTomoe (\u5df4)<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u246bFamily crest (\u5bb6\u7d0b, Kamon)<\/span><\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span>You can jump to the product page by clicking each Tsuba’s image below.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u2466Moon (\u6708, Tsuki)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span>
\n<\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0The sun and the moon have been treated as objects of worship since ancient times. Some people considered them the symbol of authority. The moon pattern has various shapes depending on the waxing and waning of the moon: full moon, half-moon, crescent, or hazy moon. There is also the idea: as the moon changes its shape depending on its fullness, it represents growth and development. Moreover, the moon is a classic design that symbolizes autumn: the combination of a moon with rabbits, deer, autumn grass, waves, etcetera.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2467Fan (\u6247, Ougi)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span>
\n\"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0This motif has been favored as an auspicious pattern representing development and prosperity. During the Heian period (794-1185\/1192), aristocrats enjoyed elegant plays with fans, and they appreciated the fan itself as a noble item. A fan has a characteristic shape, and it is called Suehirogari (\u672b\u5e83\u304c\u308a) in Japanese. Based on the idea that this shape implies a perspective of the future, people appreciate this design. The fan pattern also represents wealth because it was once available only for high-ranked people. In addition, people enjoy drawing various motifs such as animals, plants, geometric patterns, and auspicious patterns on the fan surface. That might also be why the fan motif is popular.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2468Arrow (\u77e2, Ya)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span>
\n<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0Since ancient times, arrows have been used as a weapon, which is the original purpose of this item. Additionally, each home displayed decorated arrows wishing that it would exorcize evil spirits in the house. This talisman is called the Hama-Ya (\u7834\u9b54\u77e2) in Japanese, and this custom is still kept today. As an arrow goes straight forward powerfully, lots of Samurais loved the arrow pattern. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0There are also other types of arrow designs such as the Yabane (\u77e2\u7fbd\u6839, wing part of an arrow), the Kabura-Ya (\u93d1\u77e2), etcetera. The Kabura-Ya is a type of arrow attached to the Kabura (\u93d1, a kind of weapon) to the tip of an arrow. The Kabura-Ya whistles when it is shot. Therefore, it was used as a signal on the battlefield to notify the start of a battle. We could find it in traditional events such as Yabusame (\u6d41\u93d1\u99ac, horseback archery) in Japan. This convention also shows us the relationship between the Samurai culture and the arrow.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2469Takaradukushi (\u5b9d\u5c3d\u304f\u3057)<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span>
\n\"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0It is the combination of several treasures. Some people believed these treasures would bring good fortune.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0Each item has a meaning. For example, the Kakure-Mino (\u96a0\u308c\u84d1, straw raincoat) and the Kakure-Gasa (\u96a0\u308c\u7b20, hat that hides face) would protect us from danger or illness. The Chouji (\u4e01\u5b50, precious medicine, fragrance, dye) is a plant, and it represents happy marriage, good health, and longevity. The Uchide-no-Koduchi (\u6253\u3061\u51fa\u306e\u5c0f\u69cc, mallet of good luck) would fulfill one\u2019s wish, or defeat one\u2019s enemy. It is well-known that the Daikokuten (\u5927\u9ed2\u5929, god of wealth), who is the member of the Shichifukujin (\u4e03\u798f\u795e, the Seven Gods of Good Fortune), brings this mallet. The Makimono (\u5dfb\u7269, scroll) is a book that gives us much information; therefore, this motif symbolizes knowledge and wisdom. The Gunbai (\u8ecd\u914d, Sumo referee\u2019s fan today) would settle the battle. The Fundou (\u5206\u9285, weight) is the symbol of wealth. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0There are also other items in the Takaradukushi design. It would be enjoyable that find each motif and check its meaning.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u246aTomoe (\u5df4)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span>
\n<\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0There are several theories about the origin of this design. According to an idea, it was modeled on the shape of the Magatama (\u52fe\u7389, comma-shaped bead), or it was based on the swirling of flowing water. It is also said that the Tomoe pattern comes from the Tomo (\u9779). It is a tool attached to the inside of the left wrist when shooting a bow to prevent the bowstring from hitting the arm or bracelet after shooting an arrow. The Tomoe pattern represents water, so that people treated it as a talisman to prevent fire. It was often applied to the roof tiles of shrines. It is because people believed the Tomoe design would exorcize evil spirits. The design of two Magatama-shaped commas is called Futatsu-Tomoe (\u4e8c\u3064\u5df4), and the pattern with three commas is called Mitsu-Domoe (\u4e09\u3064\u5df4). <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0This motif also has been used for family crests. For example, Shimizu Muneharu (\u6e05\u6c34\u5b97\u6cbb, 1537-1582) used the Mitsu-Domoe design. He fought against Toyotomi Hideyoshi (\u8c4a\u81e3\u79c0\u5409, 1537-1598) for he served. However, the battle situation was not good, and Muneharu thought he could no longer win. Then he decided to obey Hideyoshi’s request. He saved the lives of his subordinate soldiers by committing Hara-kiri (\u8179\u5207\u308a, also known as Seppuku, ritual act of killing oneself by cutting one’s stomach open with a sword). A theory says the idea that the Seppuku was an honor of Samurai was taken root among Samurais due to Muneharu’s graceful attitude. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0By focusing on a design in the Tsuba, you could touch on the history of the Samurai. We would say it is one of the ways to appreciate sword mountings.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u246bFamily crest (\u5bb6\u7d0b, Kamon)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span>
\n<\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0The family crest is one of the unique Japanese cultures that has continued from ancient times to today. It represents one\u2019s lineage, rank, and social standing of a family. According to a theory, during the period that strong clans gained renown, people started using the family name. The name of the land was used as the family name to distinguish the family members who moved to other areas from the others. Therefore, a family crest has a role in showing the family name. After that, court nobles and Samurai families also started using family crests. They favorably used family crests for arms such as swords or armor.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u00a0We are going to continue the new episode from different perspectives. We will see you in the next episode.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0Would you like to read other articles? Please kindly check the links below.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0Episode 1: The Charms of TSUBA | Samurai Museum Shop<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0Episode 2: DESIGN -ANIMAL\u2460- | Samurai Museum Shop<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0Episode 3: DESIGN -ANIMAL\u2461- | Samurai Museum Shop<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0Episode 4: DESIGN -PLANT\u2460- | Samurai Museum Shop<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0Episode 5: DESIGN -PLANT\u2461- | Samurai Museum Shop<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0Episode 6: DESIGN -OTHERS\u2460- | Samurai Museum Shop<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Episode 7: DESIGN -OTHERS\u2461- \u00a0Welcome back to the Tsuba Archives. We appreciate your interest in antique Japanese sword mountings. \u00a0From the previous time, we treat…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":19936,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[156],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-19585","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tsuba"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.samuraimuseum.jp\/shop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19585","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.samuraimuseum.jp\/shop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.samuraimuseum.jp\/shop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.samuraimuseum.jp\/shop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.samuraimuseum.jp\/shop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19585"}],"version-history":[{"count":63,"href":"https:\/\/www.samuraimuseum.jp\/shop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19585\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":34851,"href":"https:\/\/www.samuraimuseum.jp\/shop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19585\/revisions\/34851"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.samuraimuseum.jp\/shop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/19936"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.samuraimuseum.jp\/shop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19585"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.samuraimuseum.jp\/shop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=19585"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.samuraimuseum.jp\/shop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=19585"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}