Quick question about one menuki "rule"

[Nicolas Maestre]

Hi all,

 

Very quick question regarding one "rule" that I have read about, on menuki. 

I just got a new koshirae made for my nihonto, and there is one thing I'm not 100% satisfied with, it's the fact that the "face" of the dragon is partly hidden by the ito...

 

I like that the menuki is well centered across the diamonds, and that we can see it across its entire length. But is the face being hidden an absolute "no" in your mind? Is this considered a fault from the craftsman?

Or is it something more of a personal preference?

 

I think the craftsman did it because on the other (ura) side, menuki is well centered, full length is visible, and face is also visible. So both of them are positioned the exact same way, which is nice when you look at the tsuka as a whole. Could also be because he made the dragon's pearl being visible a priority over the face? 🤔

 

Anyways, what do you guys think? 🤔 

[Jacques D.]

Who made it ?

[Nicolas Maestre]

Michaël Sabatier 😉.

The koshirae is just amazing in my opinion... (Will post pictures when I can get decent lighting).

 

Was just wondering about that detail. What do you think?

[Jacques D.]

I know, he hasn't had any proper training, he's self-taught, so the work leaves a lot to be desired.

[Nicolas Maestre]

Oh ok.

And based on your experience, is the topic of this thread considered a 'fault'?

Or is it down to preference, necessity during wrapping because of proportion, etc.?

 

[Jacques D.]

Apparently he doesn't know how to place the ito on a menuki (neither do I), which gives a wobbly effect.