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'KIKUOKA MITSUYUKI' & Kao
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'KIKUOKA MITSUYUKI' & Kao
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| H 05606.0 | Collection Tsuba, Please Inquire |
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A large shakudo plate in slight mokko shape, the four indentations almost unnoticable. The surface finish appears polished, much like the surface treatment created by Rakuju. Dr. Torigoye refers to this surface as 'crepe - silk' surface texture. 8.40cm x 9.00cm x 0.25cm AMA-TERASU & SUSA-NO-O Ama-terasu was the sister of Susa-no-o. Susa-no-o was a very undesirable deity and he figured in the Realm of the Japanese Gods as a decidedly disturbing element. Susa-no-o had a very bad temper which often resulted in many cruel and ungenerous acts. His parents, Izanagi and Izanami, were much troubled by his doings and banished him to the Land of Yomi. He was allowed to go to the Plain of High Heaven and meet with his sister, Ama-terasu. His departure occasioned a great commotion of the sea, and the hills and mountains groaned aloud. Now Ama-terasu heard these noises and questioning her brothers intentions, prepared for warfare. She tied her hair in knots and slung over her back a thousand-arrow and five-hundred-arrow quiver. She brandished her bow, grasped her sword hilt, and stamped on the ground till she had made a hole sufficiently large to serve as a fortification. All of this elaborate and ingenious preparation was in vain. The Impetuous Male adopted the manner of a penitent. He had traversed on foot the clouds and mists in order to see face to face his elder sister before departing to the Nether-Land. Susa-no-o's good behaviour was very short-lived. Ama-terasu had made a number of excellent rice-fields in Heaven to which Susa-no-o let loose a number of piebald colts. One day when he saw his sister in the sacred Weaving Hall, weaving the garments of the Gods, he made a hole through the roof and flung down a flayed horse. Ama-terasu became extremely angry and left her abode. With her shining robes, she crept down the blue sky, entered a cave, closed it securely, and there dwelt in seclusion. Now the world was in darkness, and the alternation of night and day was unknown. When this dreadful catastrophe had taken place the Eighty Myriads of Gods assembled together on the bank of the River of Heaven and discussed how they might best persuade Ama-terasu to grace Heaven once more with her shining glory. After much profound reasoning, they gathered together a number of singing birds, along with a number of tools, bellows, and forges. Stars were welded together to form a mirror, and jewellery and musical instruments were fashioned. When all these things had been duly accomplished the Eighty Myriads of Gods came down to the rock-cavern where the Sun Goddess lay concealed, and gave an elaborate entertainment. Such extraordinary proceedings naturally awakened the curiosity of Ama-terasu, and she came forth. Once more the world became golden with her presence. Once more she dwelt in the Plain of High Heaven, and Susa-no-o was duly chastised and banished to the Yomi Land. |
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The below pages are the study of this tsuba that was done in Japan prior to addition to this collection. |
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Purchase this Tsuba by Email to |
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A Collaboration of Robert E. Haynes and Elliott D. Long |
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| Return To Tsuba Collective Robert Haynes Articles -- Tutorial Email to Shibui Swords |