Jump to content

Recommended Posts

Posted

               I am feeling trapped by a pair of fat-tailed squirrels so I have decided - naturally – to share my situation with this fine community. The beasts that are vexing me are a really nice pair of menuki (Ezo style, I’d say) that came to be with a nice katana koshirae but that retain NO HINT of the original wrap. The fact that the menuki were not lost amazes me, but there they are. And I am not a menuki fancier, but these guys look darn good. They are so nice, indeed, that I have never pushed ahead with getting the tsuka re-wrapped. Are there menuki TOO GOOD to use?

Peter

menuki crop.jpg

  • Like 8
  • Love 1
Posted

Hi Peter,

 

That set has a look and a patina as well as a feel of both age and real use. You may well be looking at a set that is quite old (pre Edo or early Edo period). Personally I could be inclined to “honor” their maker and their original purpose in using them in a re-wrapped quality Tsuka. When ever you handle your Tsuka you will enjoy the connection that is transferred through all that time that has passed.

 

In April 2022 the tread below discussed similar Menuki.

 

All the best.

Soren

On 4/1/2022 at 9:37 PM, Ron STL said:

Looking for your thoughts on these old friends of min. This very old set of menuki have long been a favorite in my collection of menuki. I Had them out again to study them and surprisingly, discovered something unnoticed before. Each animal is eating what appears to be a fish! This helps me to confirm my suspicion the critter is likely a weasel. I've known it was not a squirrel and suspected a weasel or badge, but the tail and body shape resemble more that of a weasel than a badger. Could this relate to a Japanese tale or story? 

 

I'm also looking for you opinions on where to place these menuki. Obviously, they have great age. On the backs, which have maie/female posts, you can see remnants of a silvery gold coating on them. This made me think Ezo, but the front shows nothing like this. Also, thinking Ezo one thinks large size menuki. These measure 3.6 cm. In my judgement they could date back to Ezo, at least early Muromachi or even earlier. I hope you find this an intersting pair of menuki, and can share some opinion on both the critter and age/origin of the menuki. 

Ron STL

109.10.jpg

109.12.jpg

109a (2).jpg

109a.jpg

109b.jpg

109c.jpg

 

  • Like 3
This thread is quite old. Please consider starting a new thread rather than reviving this one, unless your post is really relevant and adds to the topic..

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...