Japan. Tokugawa Shogunate. 1863-66. Akita clan. Tsuba "Swordguard" sen. Long tailed Phoenix. Hartill 7.3. Rare An unusual designed coin based on the favorite tsuba or sword guard of the Daimyo of Akita (秋田）province. The design bears the design of a pair of phoenixes on side and the Taoist Bagua or 8 Trigrams commonly associated with the I-Ching (an auspicious and amuletic symbol in the orient particularly among the Chinese). The design of the coin bears an exact resemblance to the guard of a samurai sword, a highly prized component of a the sword of the samurai. Whilst the phoenix needs little introduction, the Bagua 八卦would be foreign to most westerners as it is uniquely an Oriental symbol. Attributed to the legendary and Fuxi 伏羲，father of Chinese civilisation, the Bagua is formed from the combination broken (Yin) and unbroken (Yang) lines symbolizing the harmony and changes of opposites. On their own, each Trigram or Gua represents an aspect of the nature (Heaven, Earth, wind, fire, water, mountain, lake, thunder). When 2 gua combines, all possible variations form the 64 Trigrams of the I-Ching (Book of Changes) used not just for divination but also a study of Chinese philosophy and thought. Among the general populace, the Bagua is adopted for amuletic functions or into various esoteric associations from Feng Shui (Geomancy) to Martial Arts (Baguazhang). Derivation of the 8 Trigrams (source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bagua) Whilst there is also a shorter tailed Phoenix variant, the long tailed variant is rare. Starting with the value of 100 mon, the value depreciated to 80 mon.
Awesome! I have been exposed to many of this info, but it is fun to see it come together in these Guards / Coins. Very nice!!!
Just FYI to illustrate sword guards (Tsuba) The guard (tsuba) was originally made of iron but later sometimes of (alloyed) softer metal which was frequently elaborately carved - sometimes with inlays - or pierced. The main center cut-out (nakago-ana) provides the means to secure the blade in the tsuka. One or more additional cut-outs (kozuka-ana and kogai-ana) are often incorporated to accommodate accessories: Sometimes the tsuba was quite plain such as the one illustrated below which is made of polished shakudô (an alloy of copper and gold) and who's only decoration is a serrated gold rim. The following Tsuba was disassembled from an Edo period Wakizashi (short auxiliary sword) Made of iron and engraved with depictions of Wisteria (sagari fuji). This Bushû school pierced iron guard (tsuba) has finely carved Japanese cherry blossom (sakura) buds, leaves, stems and flowers with gilded highlights. Utility knife - kozuka (handle) kogatana (blade) - which was sometimes secured in the scabbard (saya) via the cut-out (kozuka-Ana) in the Tsuba. This kozuka bears a depiction on both sides of a full Autumn Moon (aki no tsuki) with a deer (Sika) lying down in marsh grass -- a seasonal change in the mounting (koshirae). The omote of the kogatana is finished by filing in the traditional way and is boldly inscribed (signed) Tango No Kami Kanemichi - a new sword period (shintô) Mishina province smith (kaji) active in the early to late 1600s.
Hello! I am a long time lurker of this forum and sometimes collector. I have my Dad's sword and tsuba. The Tang has an inscription . Any suggestions as where it might be read?
Thanks @Alegandron ... that time was a most interesting period for Japanese numismatics. So many varieties and types all bearing very oriental designs..
Stunning. All of it. I own a kabuto and mempo (last page of my gallery) from roughly the same period as your kogatana. I never bought a bladed object however. I'd want to play with it and these are not toys.....although a few people have tried on the helmet.......briefly. I really like the kozuka. Attractive piece. And I learned that there are coins shaped like tsuba.
size and weight? btw I have a copy of this at home on my shelf . Haven't tossed coins in a very long time.
