Shishi Menuki

[Isocyanide]

I picked up the following shakudo menuki, which I think match really well with the Goto Etsujo fuchi kashira I bought not long ago.  They also appear to be in the Goto style, I'm thinking perhaps Waki Goto.  

 

I've looked at a ton of shishi themed menuki and I can't find any that look exactly the same.  The opened mouth dog looks normal, but typically the closed mouthed dog is looking back on itself.

 

Was wondering if people more experienced could weigh in with their thoughts.  I'm fully prepared for any cast copy ridicule.  

 

 

Steve

[Geraint]

Hi Steve.

 

Brian has just mentioned in another thread which you may have missed, the posts on the back of the menuki are fitted as a separate piece so see if they are done that way on yours.  Are you thinking of mounting this with the fuchi kashira?  If so then they will look fine in my opinion.

 

As a matter of interest what bothers you about non identical menuki?  They often feature two characters from the same story or two animals in different poses to give life to the subject.

 

All the best.

[Brian]

Steve,

Definitely modern repros.

Send them to me and I'll dispose of them for you.

 

Kidding. They look like very nice menuki to me. The colour of the shakudo and fine details look like they have some class. I am not confident in a school, but I have a similar set and yours look a little nicer. You should have these checked out.

[Isocyanide]

Geraint.  My goal is to mount these menuki together with the f/k.  I still need a tsuba and perhaps a kozuka.  

 

But this is what I was trying to describe with the pose:

 

 

I'd say most Goto shishi menuki I have seen the closed mouthed dog looks like this one, where the head is turned back on the body.  The menuki I have it is in a pose I haven't seen before, and I actually like it much better.

 

Thanks Brian!  I thought I did my due diligence before making the purchase, but it's in my nature to second guess myself.  Like you said I was drawn to the level of detail and liked how the inlaid eyes matched the f/k I have.