obiwanknabbe Posted November 23, 2013 Report Posted November 23, 2013 Hi everyone, I have a question regarding the selection of new menuki for a blade i have. When i purchased it, the ito was broken and the menuki were missing. The remaining fittings are all plain iron, with the exception of the tsuba, which has an Eggplant motif. My question is, what would a "proper" replacement be for the menuki? Is there a methodology or is it just a matter of taste. The blade was made circa 1675 +or -, it is a nanban-tetsu wakizashi, and it was made by Bushu ju Fujiwara Sukechika. The tsuka is also slightly longer than what i have normally seen (7.5 inches). I suspect the last owner was a merchant because when the sword is sheathed, it looks as if it were a katana. I seem to recall reading something about non-samurai doing things like that. Thanks in advance, Kurt.k Quote
sohei Posted November 23, 2013 Report Posted November 23, 2013 Aoi Art Japan has a nice eggplant menuki that might go well: http://www.aoijapan.com/menuki-eggplant ... -with-gold Is this something like you were looking for? Thanks, Mike Quote
Ken-Hawaii Posted November 23, 2013 Report Posted November 23, 2013 Hi, Kurt: The menuki are positioned so they fit comfortably in the palm of both hands, at least in the opinion of this sword-swinger. This of course - like so many other answers - depends on whether you believe that to be the original locations. Ken Quote
Brian Posted November 23, 2013 Report Posted November 23, 2013 Kurt, On many (most?) of the mid level swords I have seen, the menuki theme doesn't match the tsuba or the f/k. I don't think it is vital you match them up, but of course it is nice if they do. Brian Quote
Guido Posted November 23, 2013 Report Posted November 23, 2013 On many (most?) of the mid level swords I have seen, the menuki theme doesn't match the tsuba or the f/k. I don't think it is vital you match them up, but of course it is nice if they do.This would actually make an interesting discussion in itself. Low and mid level Koshirae are just that, more often than not cobbled together fittings. OTOH, many Westerners think that a common theme should be followed when selecting fittings (e.g. a dragon motif), even better when it is Soroe-Kanagu, all fittings made by the same artist, which is usually found on late Edo or even Meiji and later Koshirae. However, when looking at high class period Koshirae, the fittings are often chosen for their individual merit, not a matching theme. Or some subtle common theme like plum Menuki, bamboo Fuchigashira, and a pine tree Tsuba – coming together as Shōchikubai (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Friends_of_Winter). One has to really study Japanese aesthetics to understand what makes a great Koshirae. Quote
Dr Fox Posted November 23, 2013 Report Posted November 23, 2013 Hi Guido As to themed fittings. I have an Echizen blade circa 1600s in koshirae, it to me has never looked right. My plan was to theme as follows: The tsuka is a well-wrapped item and no plans to redo there. The kashira is black horn, menuki are Ho-o birds in gold and black, both these items to stay. Theme. Menuki. Ho-o bird Fuchi. Pawlina and, or bamboo Tsuba. Dragon (Echizen Kinai) Am I far off here? Quote
kusunokimasahige Posted November 23, 2013 Report Posted November 23, 2013 Depends on the koshirae. If it is original to the sword and still in good order I would not change it. If old and decrepid, change it. If an old blade in a Gunto Saya you could get a new koshirae made and keep the Gunto saya with it for history's sake. I have read that some Samurai had several koshirae for their swords, for various occasions. KM Quote
Guido Posted November 23, 2013 Report Posted November 23, 2013 Well, phoenix and pauwlonia are an obvious choice. Phoenix & tiger & dragon & turtle are the four cardinal animals. Just phoenix and dragon looks a little awkward IMO. I don't really see where the bamboo comes in. Quote
obiwanknabbe Posted November 23, 2013 Author Report Posted November 23, 2013 Gentlemen, Its funny that the conversation has come to encompass Bamboo fittings, because that is a option i was considering for this particular project. The blade has sections of Sudare-ba Hamon. I thought Bamboo menuki would make an appropriate contribution to the overall aesthetics. Your right Guido. This is an interesting topic of discussion. Ikibana of the sword, so to speak! Kurt.k Quote
Dr Fox Posted November 23, 2013 Report Posted November 23, 2013 Thanks Guido Thinking along the lines of theme and also availability of the hardware: Several Chinese folk tales center around the clash between the phoenix and the dragon. However, they're also depicted as partners. It is often shown in a paulownia tree (Chinese parasol tree, Jp. = Aogiri 梧桐), with bamboo in the background, or surrounded by Chinese arabesque foliage (Jp. = Karakusa 唐草). Unless the ho-o bird is included on every piece, my thoughts were as above. Quote
BIG Posted November 23, 2013 Report Posted November 23, 2013 More questions about the jewelry What's about insects ( dragonfly ) as a cardinal Animal and theme? And is there any Knowledge ( statistics) what the samurai Client or the Artists Prefer? And is a mon on a Saya Kind of jewelry? Quote
chris covington Posted November 23, 2013 Report Posted November 23, 2013 Kurt, I love the eggplant theme so I'd love to see a photo of your tsuba. Eggplants are a popular motif for New Years along with Mt. Fuji and hawks. Fuji Taka Nasu. If you dream about any of them on New Years eve you will have a lucky year (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hatsuyume). Cheers, Chris Quote
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