Single Edo And Meiji Menuki Mounted On Pins

[Surfson]

Just bought these single menuki mounted on pins at an online auction.  I think they are from Meiji and maybe some from Edo.  Some look to be fabulous and would fetch a lot if in a pair.  Does anybody collect single menuki?  I'm thinking about starting, since the art is just as good as with pairs and the price is a small fraction!

 

 

[Surfson]

This one is my favorite.  

 

[Vermithrax16]

Menuki Orphanage may have another to make a pair.

[Ray Singer]

Nice items there. The tigers & bamboo look potentially well-matched.

[Surfson]

There were three lots all told - nearly 80 menuki, and several do looked to match, at least from the photos.  Here are a few more.  One is upside down so I have it both ways.

[Surfson]

OK, last ones, I swear!

[Tanto54]

Dear Robert,

 

Congratulations - many of those are excellent.  Nick had a sword he listed a while ago with a Fuchi that is a close match to one of your menuki - the one with the bell being carried by Oni in the Waves (The Bell is the Bell of Miidera - sometimes Meidira).  Look for the Dragon King or Tawara Toda (Fujiwara Hidesato) (a Samurai with a dragon on his armor) and you may have a match.

 

Also, if the "menuki" have thin metal pins on the back like wire, then they are tobacco pouch ornaments instead of menuki (and those are always single and don't come in pairs).

 

See Nick's sword and discussion at  http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/20884-probably-one-of-the-nicer-koshirae-ive-had-the-pleasure-of-owning/).

 

[Surfson]

Very interesting George!  I wondered what that thing was, incorrectly thinking that it was the top of a helmet.  These were listed as menuki and the auctioneer did a good job on the rest of the items in the sale, so I am hopeful they are not tobacco pouch ornaments.  You should check out the other items in the auction if you are interested in articulated Myochin sculptures.   There was a carp that went for over $50K and lots of insects and other pieces that went for many thousands of dollars.  Here is a link.  

https://www.invaluable.com/catalog/insrmn9ges

[Surfson]

I bid on this tsuba but didn't even come close - it went for $4600 plus the auctioneers cut.  

 

[Tanto54]

Dear Robert,

 

Nice Tsuba - sorry you didn't get it.  Here's a match for your favorite one....

 

 

 

[Surfson]

George, what is the story about the dragon and the tiger in the waves?  

[Guido]

George, what is the story about the dragon and the tiger in the waves?  

 

I'm not George, but ...

 

... the tiger represents the material or yin forces, and is bested by the dragon, which represents the spiritual or celestial or yang. The breath of the tiger creates the wind, and together with the clouds of the dragon, rain is created.

 

Originally under Taoist teaching the tiger was a fearful, evil supernatural creature presiding over the west and autumn, both of which fall under the negative principle. Under Buddhist influence, the tiger assumed a positive force, its evil giving way to strength, nobility, and courage. In association with the dragon, however, it reverts back to its old Taoist negative principle.

[Surfson]

Thank you for that Guido.  Are the waves also generated by the tiger and wind and do they have different meaning?  

[Guido]

Are the waves also generated by the tiger and wind and do they have different meaning?

 

The waves are part of the symbolism of the dragon - his energy causes rain clouds to swirl and waves to form.

[Surfson]

I'm glad to hear that Guido.  I have always like dragons in the clouds and waves.  I was born in the year of the dragon and have been a surfer most of my life.....Cheers, Bob

[Stephen]

Papa Surf

 

The two brown hawks do they look like a pair?

[Surfson]

Hi Stephen.  From the photos they look like they might, but I don't have them in hand yet.  The beaks are quite different and the feathers look a bit different, so I'm not sure.  I am hoping to find some pairs but it really doesn't matter, as I'm thinking about keeping the collection together since it was assembled over 100 years ago.  Cheers, bob