2nd Menuki Question??

[dwmc]

Dear Members,

 

Thank you again Jean for your quick response. These two sets of menuki below are my 2nd and third  choice for tsuka restoration. The dragon menuki, I know are edo period, but just noticed they are actually a miss matched set, they were however on same deteriorated Shinto era tsuka.

 

The Sakura menuki (appear) to be an older set, but would appreciate an opinion if this actually is the case. If there is any doubt as to the Sakura menuki not being at least Shin Shinto, I will use the miss matched dragon menuki.

 

Again, thank you in advance for you opinions,

 

Dave M.

[ROKUJURO]

Dave,

I don't think the (cast) dragon MENUKI are mismatched, but my eyes are no longer that good, so I might miss details.

The other pair are not SAKURA, but I am not sure what they are. Perhaps Clematis? Don't know.
They don't make a MENUKI pair as they seem to be identical copies. 

[dwmc]

Thank you again Jean. Your opinion is greatly appreciated !

 

Best regards,

 

Dave M.

[Ed Harbulak]

The dragon menuki with the sword in its tail is a male dragon and the other is a female dragon and that makes the two of them a matched pair, as they should be. 

[dwmc]

9 hours ago, Ed Harbulak said:

The dragon menuki with the sword in its tail is a male dragon and the other is a female dragon and that makes the two of them a matched pair, as they should be. 

 

Thank you for the information !

 

Dave M.

[Andi B.]

Dave,

 

menuki should be a matching pair, but that doesn't mean that the menuki are identical!

See below examples.

 

Also the correct placement when mounted is important. I read somewhere in this forum:

 

- in case of an animal motif, the “heads” should be oriented toward fuchi while the “tails” should be oriented toward kashira;

 

- in case of a plant motif, the “roots” should be oriented toward fuchi while the flowers, leaves or fruits should be oriented toward kashira.

[rkg]

On 11/17/2020 at 5:26 PM, Ed Harbulak said:

The dragon menuki with the sword in its tail is a male dragon and the other is a female dragon and that makes the two of them a matched pair, as they should be. 

 

Another male/female pair

 

 

Best,

rkg

(Richard George)

 

[dwmc]

Thank you guys,

 

I had no idea there were male and female dragon menuki. I've been a nihonto enthusiast for many years and have (obviously) not paid enough attention to menuki. I now see that menuki are a further and fascinating facet of nihonto to study.!

 

I've decided to use my dragon menuki for the tsuka, and will be contacting David McDonald soon for restoration.

 

Again, information very much appreciated.

 

Best regards,

 

Dave M.