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Posted

Hi Gang,

While digging through my old fittings box I found this nice set??? of Menuki.

Anyone have any ideas? Is this a set? Is that like the sun rising over the ocean?

The back has been filled with silver?

Please help, and thanks.

Mark G

post-99-14196756453121_thumb.jpg

Posted

Hi Mark

The theme is the Meoto Iwa (Wedded Rock or Husband and Wife Rock) a very popular tourist site not far from the Ise Shrine.

The upper piece probably represents viewing pavilions set in pine trees looking out to sea, towards the 'husband and wife rocks', on the lower piece.

 

Google - "Meoto Iwa" or "Husband and Wife rocks" for more info.

 

The menuki probably date from the late Edo or Meiji period.

Posted
Hi Gang,

While digging through my old fittings box I found this nice set??? of Menuki.

Anyone have any ideas? Is this a set? Is that like the sun rising over the ocean?

The back has been filled with silver?

Please help, and thanks.

Mark G

G'day Mark,

Long after the event, but "just trawling" and came across your menuki. I can make a couple of comments - First, I think the "silver" is a tin-lead solder filling in the back and certainly not original. Second, ignoring the solder infill I think these menuki are brass pressings in thin sheet metal, rather than solid and chiselled from the front. I've seen a few of this type over the years and almost certainly late Edo/Meiji as someone else has already commented.

Regards,

Barry Thomas.

  • 3 weeks later...
Posted

Hello,

To complete a bit on that topic I found that on Wikipedia :

 

Meoto Iwa

Meoto Iwa, the wedded rocks

Meoto Iwa. At low tide the sea recedes from around the rocks.Meoto Iwa (夫婦岩?) or the Husband-and-Wife Rocks are a couple of small rocky stacks in the sea off Futami, Mie. They are joined by a shimenawa (a heavy rope of rice straw) and are considered sacred by worshippers at the neighbouring Okitama-jinja. In Shinto belief, the rocks represent the union of creator gods Izanagi and Izanami. The rocks therefore celebrate the union in marriage of man and woman. The rope, which weighs over a ton, must be replaced several times a year in a special ceremony. The larger rock, said to be male, has a small torii at its peak.

 

The best time to see the rocks is at dawn during the summer, when the sun appears to rise between them. Mount Fuji is distantly visible. At low tide the rocks are not separated by water.

 

Okitama Shrine is dedicated to a food goddess Miketsu. There are numerous statues of frogs around the shrine. The shrine and rocks are near the Grand Shrine of Ise, the most important Shinto location.

 

 

When I was visiting this place a couple of years ago the guide told us that it is the symbole of creation of Japan .

Best

Marc

 

Please find 2 pics of Meoto Iwa

post-118-14196757855001_thumb.jpg

post-118-1419675785702_thumb.jpg

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