New Menuki, opionions?

[Mark Green]

Hi Gang,

Some new Menuki for you to judge.

There is markings on the back. In paint?

Likely left /right? Some of the cherry petels look painted as well?

Thanks for any help.

Mark G

[Stephen]

what a really cool set, in my mind all the flowers are sliver, is it just a wash?

[Mark Green]

I think so Stephen.

I may need to clean them up a bit more.

Mild soapy water and a old soft tooth brush?

Mark G

[Rich T]

Hi Mark, I'd go easy on cleaning them too much, that kin surface looks to be wearing thin already, too much cleaning may reveal more shakudo than you would like. I think these would probably paper as Kyo Kanagushi these days, which seems to be a popular term. Maybe Waki Goto at a stretch.

 

Cheers

 

Rich

[Mark Green]

Hi Rich,

Longtime no see. I think you are right. They don't look too dirty. Very nice art though.

So, were the flower all once painted? They seem white not silver.

Thanks mate, Mark G

[Stephen]

I was asking if it was a sliver wash or paint, id take a Qtip and with mild soap and lightly rub the bottom nuk with corasponding flowers to see if black lifts off or if there is a wash on it. very lightly.

 

be sure to get a second on this as its just what id try, better to here it from tosogu pros first, alot are going to the SFTK ,,,are you going down being your close?

[Guido]

Although I'm usually a purist when it comes to "cleaning" swords and fittings, I found that well patinated Shakudô is pretty resistant to all kinds of mild chemicals, including benzine or thinner (but of course not abrasives). I therefore would hazard to try using a Q-Tip soaked in thinner to find out if it's indeed paint or silver - it wouldn't harm the latter, and remove the first. However, your mileage may vary, so don't sue me if it results in ruined Menuki . Other than that, I think this pair of Menuki (Hôô and Sakura?) would look very nice if mounted, especially if the Tsukamaki-shi knows what he's doing and can hide the rubbed off gold under the Ito (which shouldn't be too difficult).

[Stephen]

id never use anything other than soap ,,,mild...just to see if its crud,

[Henry Wilson]

Very nice. I think just leave them be....

[Guido]

Interesting ... in another thread things like egg yolk and whatnot is being promoted ... maybe I should have suggested the molten fat of a black cat burned at midnight at a graveyard ... seems to be more in the spirit of the obviously "academical" advise being presented here ... ... nevermind my own experience, be on the safe side, use Uchiko mixed with Chôji-abura because it's soooooo traditional .... (not, but everything remotely sounding Japanese is to be preferred, no?) ...

[John A Stuart]

:lol: "maybe I should have suggested the molten fat of a black cat burned at midnight at a graveyard" Makes me think of something Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn might do. Watch out for Indian Joe and Muff Potter!! Anyhow, I shall keep my eggs on the plate and look forward to what Mark does. John

[Stephen]

in another thread things like egg yolk and whatnot is being promoted

 

dont think egg yolk was promoted, more of a joke, as far as liver of sulfer being a what not....guess it depends if youve used it or not.

 

 

Think Henry has the best idea, just wanted to know if there was black on top of a sliver wash.

[Ford Hallam]

As Guido said, properly patinated shakudo ( as yours appear to be ) is unaffected by any solvents, like alcohol, thinners, acetone etc.

 

 

When silver ( generally fine, or pure in traditional work) turns black ( through the action of sulphides in the air, it doesn't actually oxidise naturally) this black layer eventually flakes off due to differences in rates of expansion, leaving a frosted, corroded silver surface which appears dead white. Come to think of it, the fact that this seems to be the case here probably means the silver is okigane and not plating. That's a thin sheet ( perhaps .5mm thick ) of pure silver soldered to the shakudo base just where the blossoms are. If you can establish that this is the case then the following steps are safe to follow...if not then don't do it!

 

The black silver sulphide layer is actually harder than the underlying fine silver but very careful rubbing with a toothpick and a tiny amount of chrome polishing paste will safely remove it and restore a bit of gloss to the silver. Take great care to avoid patinated metal though. When done clean off all traces of the polishing paste with alcohol and then in warm soapy water give them a gentle scrub with a toothbrush. Dry well and re-wax using Renaissance wax. Apply sparingly and buff gently with a very clean cloth or kitchen tissue.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Ford

[Mark Green]

Thanks Guys,

I'm sure these will be mounted on some nice Bungo sword.

Any idea what the marking in the back side is? Or is my left/right on target?

Thanks again, Mark G

[Mark Green]

Som new nat. light pics