paper, box for iron and mixed metal menuki

[b.hennick]

Hello:

I received pair of iron menuki that are papered. I am on vacation in Florida (YEAH) and do not have access to my usual resources. All help would be appreciated. The menuki box has a label that is the mei +?, I have included a photo of the mei itself and the paper that accompanies the menuki. Translations would be greatly appreciated.

[Robert Mormile]

Barry on vacation in Florida: (Lucky)

 

Blue characters say HOZON.

Signature on Menuki say NARA SAKU.

 

Robert at work in New York: (envious)

[Stephen]

Stephen in -0 temps...frozen

 

please show Fuji san when done

[b.hennick]

HI Stephen:

Actually those are nets and the other menuki is birds.

Edited to add photo of ura:

[Stephen]

Still very nice.

[kunitaro]

月下干網千鳥図目貫

Gekka (orTsuki no shita) no Hoshiami (to) Chidori no Zu Menuki

(Dring fishing net under the moon and Chidori design Menuki)

 

銘　奈良作　

Mei Nara saku

 

鉄・金・銀　芋継地

Tetsu, Kin, Gin, Imo-tsugi-ji

(Iron, Gold, Silver Imo-tsugi base)

* Imo-tsugi is one of technique of welding, the way how the gold (top of fishing net) and silver (moon) welded on iron.

 

容彫　金色絵

Yo(Katachi)-Bori, Kin-iroe

(Figured curving ?. Gold plated)

[John A Stuart]

I had to research 芋継地 It is rather interesting 芋継 is a straight line tenon (hozo) and mortise (hozoana) joint and refers to a graft of potatoes. There were some Goto menuki at Chosuya at one time that referenced this technique. John

[b.hennick]

Thanks to all who helped! I will be studying these for a while and try to learn from them. I collect iron menuki. These are quite different from the others. Many iron menuki have condition problems. There seem to be fine.

[runagmc]

Is it something that can be noted from the back of menuki, I wonder?

[Curran]

I had to research 芋継地

 

John,

 

I do too. Always something too learn from this translation section.

Thank you Kunitaro-san for the translation.