Shinto Motif?

[raynor]

Hi,

 

I wonder if anyone could tell me what these menuki are showing? Suposedly a shinto motif of some sort?

 

Thanks!

 

[TETSUGENDO]

Omar,

 

Daikon are a seasonal motif (Nov./Dec./Jan.).   They are also a common offering of the January 7th Daikon festival at Asakusa's Matsuchiyama Shoden Temple (Honryuin).

 

-S-

[johnnyi]

Would not a daikon come to a point? Maybe it is one, but to me it resembled a bunch long leaves that are gathered and bound with cord, as there are leaves on one end and multiple stems on the other.  See a somewhat similar motif of "ricecracker's called autumn leaves. 

 

johnnyi?

[raynor]

A daikon was what I thought as well. I'm versed when it comes to Buddhism and Taoism, but quite blank on anything Shinto. 

[johnnyi]

Again, if you look closely you  will see these are not daikon, although the shape at a distance somewhat resembles the daikon's shape. These are long slender leaves wraopped in twine. There multiple stems are tied tightly as are their tops. They are accompanied with what appears to be oak or maple leaves probably to denote seasonality. Undoubtedly they were used to wrap food, possibly dumplings.  imho  

johnnyi        

[johnnyi]

Another example where the tops of the leaves are not folded over.  Could be to celebrate "Kodomo no Hi" or maybe offering to the Bean Moon?.  

 

regards,  johnnyi

[TETSUGENDO]

The first example you picture CHIMAKI only superficially resemble the menuki, the termination of the ends, and the scant amount of "stems" bear little resemblance........  Example 2, none.

 

-S-

[johnnyi]

You want stems? Here are stems. Stems, long leaf wrapping, shaped like daikon, and CORD.   Now I rest my case.

 

Cheers,  Johnnyi

[John A Stuart]

I think they are chimaki as well. Funny story; I was served the square variety and being the first time eating jung shi as they are called in China, did not open it and eat. I used a sharp knife and cut it to pieces and ate the entire package, bamboo leaves and all. Very chewy, for sure. Haaaa! What a dumb move. John

[TETSUGENDO]

Excellent roughage though!  

 

-S-

[SteveM]

I agree, not shintō, but a seasonal motif: Tango no Sekku. I didn't think they were chimaki at first, but now I think they are, and the leaf next to them is a kashiwa oak leaf, and together they are seasonal markers for Tango no Sekku (nowadays celebrated as Children's Day - as Johnny mentions).

 

Chimaki nowadays are kind of mass-produced, and look a bit different. But John's photo above (complete with kashiwa oak leaf) encapsulates what I think is being shown on the menuki. 

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tango_no_sekku

[raynor]

These proved to pose quite the mystery!

 

John, I've seen my share of misunderstandings around Asian tables by westerners and probably partaken in my fair share, I dont think yours go high on the list.

[TETSUGENDO]

The type of Oak leaves pictured in John's photo, those used in the making of Kashiwa Mochi ( also eaten on Boys day) are of a completely different form than those depicted on the menuki.

-S-

[SteveM]

I would say the long leaf is an iris, which is another Tango no Sekku symbol. 

I'm open to other interpretations, but I'm more or less sold on the idea that this is a Tangu no Sekku motif.

http://kotoraya.jp/topic/2806/

 

There was a similar one for sale from Ginza Choshuya 

 

[TETSUGENDO]

Steve, these examples come off with more clarity than Omar's, but I do prefer his aesthetically

 

-S-