Hamano Harutoshi - Tsuba with Autumn Flowers - Walters 51127 - Mark A

This tsuba shows the moon with seasonal flowers. Beneath a full moon on the front are golden lace (ominaeshi) and bush clover (hagi). On the back, pampas grass (susuki) and dianthus (nadeshiko) are depicted beneath a crescent moon. Golden lace and bush clover are both indicative of autumn. Pampas grass is also a sign of autumn, while dianthus is a summer flower. With this combination of flowers and a crescent rather than full moon, the back of the tsuba seems to be invoking the seasonal change from summer to autumn.