Which is omote, which is ura?

[When Necessary]

[Charlie C]

Hi Dee,

 

I would say it probably doesn't matter in this case since the flow of both pieces is in the same direction. The direction of the body, not the head, usually determines the direction of the animal pattern.

 

Best,

C. C.

[Brian]

Well worth a refresher read

 

[DirkO]

Great reference Brian!
Allow me to add this as well (Menuki – Sono rekishi to igi ni tsuite - Iiyama Yoshimasa - extract from Token Bijutsu 09/2011 - translated by Markus Sesko)

 

 

[When Necessary]

Thank you all.

 

S Alexander Takeuchi says:

"In case of an animal motif, the “heads” should be oriented toward fuchi while the “tails” should be oriented toward kashira"

Iiyama Yoshimasa says:

"Principally, the arrangement of the motif always shows towards the kissaki of the sword or to the kojiri of the saya respectively."

And:

"Omote-menuki: the body of persons or animals faces to the right

Ura-menuki: the body of persons or animals faces to the left"

 

So, as I've got two oxen and two goats all walking left, it sounds like Charlie's "doesn't matter in this case" is the winner. (Unless the sole goat looking backward has a hitherto unknown esoteric meaning.)