Correct placement of kenmaki-ryu menuki...

[slavia631]

Hi,

 

Are kenmaki-ryu (ken with dragon) themed menuki supposed to be positioned with the ken pointing toward the fuchi or toward the kashira?

 

I have seen both configurations, and both seem as though they could be correct depending on whether the sword is sheathed or drawn; but I would like to know which of these is the definitive direction to orient kenmaki-ryu menuki during tsukamaki, if there is one.

 

Furthermore, regarding menuki that feature only a bare ken and vajra, which direction should the ken be oriented along the tsuka?

 

Any advice or answers would be appreciated!

[Brian]

Andrew,

I think this might assist a bit.

http://www.una.edu/faculty/takeuchi/DrT ... cement.htm

In the case of bare ken etc, just my guess...but I would think that the point of the blade might serve as the head of an animal. Anyone offer a better suggestion?

 

Brian

[slavia631]

Thank you Brian. I had actually checked out that article already. I am assuming that the dragon is considered an animal, and thus kenmaki-ryu menuki would fall under the animal okite mentioned therein.

 

I would have thought the same thing as you about a bare ken's point being the head--it's seems pretty intuitive--but then again, on second thought the vajra could just as easily be interpreted as 'roots', couldn't they? In which case it should be placed opposite your suggestion, according to the plant okite...

 

And it doesn't help matters that I have seen it done both ways, in the past. :?

 

This is a tough one! Can anybody enlighten me [us]?

[Ted Tenold]

Andrew,

 

Although a mythical, it is an animal none-the-less, therefore the orientation should be that the head faces the fuchi, and upright when the sword is worn not wielded. If it were only the ken, then it would be oriented with the tip of the ken toward the fuchi.

 

The confusion some might have is that dragons are often configured with the head facing backward from the direction they are "crawling". In pairs, one might have this look, while the other if facing the direction it is crawling. The head should therefore be considered facing the direction that the body is traveling. The fact that the head is looking about does not affect the direction it is moving toward.

 

Also one has to remember that in a Tachi configuration (edge down), the omote and ura are opposite that of a mounting in Bukezukuri (katana/wakizashi/tanto, edge up) so the menuki will also be in opposing positions with the dominant one always facing publicly and upright.

[slavia631]

Ted,

 

I think that answers all! Much appreciated.

 

Andrew