Menuki for grip?

[Dr Fox]

This question dates back to the 1960’s. I have had for a number of years tucked away a thought for which I have never had a full answer.

In my early days of appreciating the sword and fittings, I was drawn to menuki, were they charms, religious symbols or just decorative? I remember at the time being told, they were there to swell the tang, into the hollow of the palm of the hand, thus affording a more complete grip.

Now was I dreaming? When I say I remember holding swords in my right hand, and yes, the menuki was in the palm of the hand. Now we all know the menuki on swords fit under the fingers of right-handed men, a position where little added grip is afforded to my mind. Especially on the top hand which only grips with the bottom two fingers any way.

So my Question is: Were menuki placed as I believe I saw? Or is now, how its always been?

Denis.

[Kai-Gunto]

On the kaiguntos the menuki are in the palm of the right and left hand.

But I have one kaigunto with reversed menuki like the katana.

[Jiro49]

The tachi style or what I have seen called gyaku-menuki is the utilitarian position (which is what I prefer). I believe that late Muromachi this stared to change.

 

As far as gunto the early and mid war versions have them placed in the tachi position but late war they reversed them for some reason.

 

Just my .02...

[Baka Gaijin]

Good afternoon all,

 

There are some threads about this on the site:

 

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=5340&hilit=Menuki+position

 

viewtopic.php?f=50&t=5486&hilit=menuki+position

 

Cheers

[Brian]

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=14855&p=130368

http://www.buildingthepride.com/faculty ... cement.htm

 

Brian

[Dr Fox]

I think now looking back, I had very probably handled a tachi,, but at that time didn't appreciate the differences between tachi/katana.

Also from the links provided (thank you all), there does not seem to be a absolute why, this placement became the ‘norm’. Now here’s a thing: If I wanted a tsuka built today, would I be asked where I wanted the menuki, or would it be accepted that under fingers is the unquestioned norm?

Denis.

[Jiro49]

It's your choice. I had the tsuka-maki on my iaito and shinken done tachi style as that is more comfortable for me.

[Dr Fox]

If I wanted a tsuka built today, would I be asked where I wanted the menuki, or would it be accepted that under fingers is the unquestioned norm?

Denis.

 

Thanks Matt, but my question was in regard of a nihonto blade, and not for a sword to be used for the various disciplines by its owner.

 

Cheers Denis.