MENUKI IDENTIFY

[Tlognaws]

Hello everybody,

 

I have just gotten this pair of menuki from Japan. They appeared quite impressive pieces to me with unnormal material combination on them. Since i'm a new tosogu guy here, it's almost impossible for me to figure out the school/ maker who made these pieces.

 

Could anyone tell me the idea?

 

The below photo is after cleaning but was taken at low light so it got a little auto enhancement effect from my phone camera.

 

 

 

[1kinko]

We need to see the other side.

[ROKUJURO]

DAIKOKU and EBISU?

[Tlognaws]

3 hours ago, ROKUJURO said:

DAIKOKU and EBISU?

Yes i think so 😃. Daikoku is depicted riding on rice bags and Ebisu carries a fishing rod and a big fish, and these associated images directly symbolise their roles: promising a good harvest and a plentiful catch of fish.

[shakudo]

Hi , agree with Darrel, ikinko,!

We need to see the backs of these please. Cheers

[Tlognaws]

22 hours ago, shakudo said:

Hi , agree with Darrel, ikinko,!

We need to see the backs of these please. Cheers

Here are some better photos that i can take. Quite difficult to get my camera phone focus on these tiny little things 😕

[Tlognaws]

On 4/11/2023 at 5:43 AM, 1kinko said:

We need to see the other side.

I uploaded some photo above, please take a look 😃

[Matsunoki]

Nice looking menuki but I think (might be wrong) that they are made from one single metal alloy and all the different colours are achieved with patination techniques rather than true mixed alloys. See what others have to say. Nicely done though.

 

 

[1kinko]

The backs are remarkably clean and look modern but the craftsmanship is very high, probably Meiji. I see layers of different alloys as well as either fire gilding or soldering, not necessarily true inlay.