The Menuki Orphanage

[mareo1912]

I found this little guy laying around while cleaning, if somebody needs him, send me a PM

[thutson]

Hello, I would love to find a match for this guy.

 

Best,

Tom

[Surfson]

Tom, a honey pot or beehive in copper might be a good match!  

[thutson]

I never thought about a beehive or honey pot but you're right I think that would be a great match! I'll keep my eyes open for one.

[thutson]

I've actually just found a great match, a lovely detailed menuki of the boy Kintaro that legends say befriended and wrestled bears.

[Babu]

Menuki missing their partners.

The equine set have minor rubbing to Shakudo on horses shoulder and general use marks. Heavy gold overlay. Could probably go with a whip or saddle or maybe a single horse. Quite a bit should pair with this one. £50

 

The floral menuki is large and of reasonable or mediocre quality.£35

Happy to buy the orphans that may compliment these as well.

Thank you for looking Adam

[BjornLundin]

A mare is looking for a mate. Something that works good with the FK set.

[Babu]

I've this but it seems better quality

[stevel48]

I have 2 orphan/mismatched bird themed menuki. I don't need them so if you have a match and want them pm me.

[Infinite_Wisdumb]

On 5/18/2018 at 11:31 PM, Tanto54 said:

Looking for a match for this Dragon Boat Menuki.  Note the fine detail - literally hundreds of inlays and the faces are about the size of a pen tip...)

 

 

 

 

Holy WOW

[Brian]

That is a fantastic menuki!
Out of interest, can we get dimensions and a pic of the back?

[vajo]

Stephen i think has a nicely iron dragon boat tsuba which would fit perfect to that menuki.

[Tanto54]

The Dragon Boat Menuki is about 2.5 inches long (a little over 6cm).  The main body of the menuki is only about 1.75 inches, but the dragon tail adds another .75 inches to the length.  Here's the back:

 

[Infinite_Wisdumb]

looking at the back, why is this not a pouch pin?  the stud is not square like most menuki?

[Brian]

Those are thin, pressed brass and have 2 pins. This is a good menuki. Not all have the typical square post.

[Infinite_Wisdumb]

thanks Brian.  So the main difference is 1 post vs two pins.  got it

[Tanto54]

Dear Jesse, older high level menuki often have rounded posts - one solid and one hollow (see photos below).  Another sign of age and quality is Uttori (the use of thick gold foil instead of gold wash - see photo below from the backside of the tail of the Dragon from my menuki posted above) - you can tell that it is gold foil folding over the edge instead of being brushed on like paint.

 

 

[Infinite_Wisdumb]

Ah!  Thanks George!  Really cool artwork and craftsmanship with the Uttori!

[Abaris]

Do anyone still has some orphan menukis? I'm looking for some for my new koshirae. I prefer them orphan, second opportunities are always a good thing.

[Bugyotsuji]

Since they were often made by the same craftsmen, could we tweak the knowledge a little?

For example:

A. Menuki, central single post, round or square.

B. Mae-kanagu, purse flap ornament, two pins to left and tight. Sometimes found with separate back plate which may be signed.

C. Mae-kanagu, but formerly a Menuki, w/evidence of three post/pins.

 

Below are three single ‘menuki’, while on the subject.

Watch this space…

[Bugyotsuji]

The first is a Sagemono set of Netsuké Ojimé and Kinchaku purse. Shakudo. The back is packed with black resin(?) but shows evidence of a single post.

 

The second is an assemblage of horagai, axe etc., possibly a symbol of a character like Kintarō(?). Shakudo. The back has the remains of a central post, but also side posts, suggesting later life as a maé-kanagu.

 

The third has a back plate half-fixed to it in some way, as if someone has tried to check inside. No idea if it was ever a menuki. Shakudo, gold. Looks like a group of… nasu aubergines(?) in waves, being washed?