Robin Posted July 2, 2019 Report Posted July 2, 2019 Hello all, A menuki orientation question... I understand (correct me when I'm wrong) the front of an animal body should face the fuchi/tsuba. This one gives me a bit of a headache... I know it's not special and in a semi sorry state, but I love the scene...birds on a paddle. The birds sit in a somewhat "disorderly fashion", so I'm not 100% sure. My first thought was the tip of the paddle towards the tsuba, but the body orientation of the birds is mostly towards the handle of the paddle, so I'm leaning towards the handle facing the tsuba. Not sure about it...help! 2 Quote
Geraint Posted July 2, 2019 Report Posted July 2, 2019 Dear Robin. If you are thinking of mounting these then I don't think the orientation will matter too much as long as you don't get them upside down. Personally I think your idea of the tip towards the fuchi would probably work but once you get the tsuka built and before you wrap play around wit them a little until you get a satisfactory arrangement. Love to see some pictures when you are finished. All the best. 1 Quote
ROKUJURO Posted July 2, 2019 Report Posted July 2, 2019 Robin,I cannot help you but with an opinion. I would like to see these MENUKI mounted on a TACHI TSUKA. I think then it might be easier to decide. 1 Quote
TETSUGENDO Posted July 2, 2019 Report Posted July 2, 2019 Thanks for sharing Robin, they are charming. The rules that apply to proper orientation change according to category, you are correct as per animals. The last thing we'd want is a fearsom Tiger or Dragon running away from the action. Your idea of the business end of the paddle facing the action seems sound, but whichever way you choose to mount them they'd look great. Cheers, -S- 1 Quote
Robin Posted July 2, 2019 Author Report Posted July 2, 2019 Thanks guys! My ducks aren't the fiercest animals imaginable. They look kinda flustered and oblivious, but maybe they feel very proud of conquering a paddle. 1 Quote
ROKUJURO Posted July 2, 2019 Report Posted July 2, 2019 Robin,I think the birds are cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo). 3 Quote
Stephen Posted July 2, 2019 Report Posted July 2, 2019 The points of the paddle point to blade 1 Quote
TETSUGENDO Posted July 2, 2019 Report Posted July 2, 2019 Robin, Your birds have distinct long crests at the rear of their heads, the maker emphasized this, as Japanese cormorants don't have this feature they must be something else. What, is not clear to me, perhaps they are 'composite' birds that the artist found pleasing? I can understand the confusion. -S- 1 Quote
Ron STL Posted July 2, 2019 Report Posted July 2, 2019 Orientation seems solved; tip of oar towards tsuba. I've always found this interesting. There are actually primary (omote side) and secondary (ura side) menuki when on a tsuka. This can get confusing at times when dealing with alike menuki, mon and often floral motif, but the basic rule is they look towards the tsuba. (I like Steven's remark about the tiger or dragon not running away from the action.) Studying some of my own menuki this past week, I was kind of surprised to find that on male/female dragon motif, the male dragon often (always?) is the secondary (ura) menuki; the female faces the tsuba. Since I prefer to keep menuki in a nice quality box, this is easy. Boxed, they face each other. Ron STL 1 Quote
christianmalterre Posted July 2, 2019 Report Posted July 2, 2019 not bad! interesting indeed.... 1 Quote
Surfson Posted July 3, 2019 Report Posted July 3, 2019 There is a full discussion about the positioning of menuki, and which is on ura and omote, in the Tosogu Classroom I, I think, translated by Markus. 2 Quote
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