Menuki for discussion

[Beater]

I am more of a lurker than contributor to the forum but wanted to share a recent discovery and invite comments from those members who are interested in these menuki.

 

First the background - I acquired a tanto in rather poor condition. A stout, mumei blade with some age in fairly sound condition. The koshirae were filthy, in particular the tsuka which appeared to have been in the home of a heavy smoker as entirely coated in a dark coating - possibly varnish to which grime had attached. The kashira was absent and ito broken but still mainly in place. Menuki indistinguishable, some sort of flower? There were clues that it had once been a presentable piece…two-piece habaki in shakudo and silver, nice iron fuchi with soft metal embellishments of a scroll and branch and an iron tsuba with wave pattern which had a separate shakudo rim.

I sent the tsuka off for work - a replacement horn kashira and ito re-wrap. I subsequently heard from the restorer who asked me if I knew the menuki were solid gold? I did not. That was a nice surprise. I requested he take photos whilst they were off the tsuka, which he kindly did. (See attached.) Speaking of my good fortune to a couple of friends, they both advised putting the menuki in a presentation box and replacing with more modest ones. I spent too long thinking and by the time I contacted the restorer for an update, they were already back under the fresh ito!

 

Didn’t really think too much more about it until contacting a friend who is very helpful regarding tsubas. I didn’t know if his knowledge extended to menuki. Anyway, his enthusiasm for them made me realise I should go for a wider exposure and see what this forum thinks. I welcome any information on possible school, age etc. They are of a cherry blossom and un-opened bud each on a Tanzaku (Poem paper), which I’m told is very much in Japanese taste. He notes the very unusual distinction of not having hollowed-out backs nor studs, both features he believes supports them being early.
 

Many thanks in anticipation.

 

Kevin.

 

[Beater]

FYI here’s the tanto with new tsuka wrap and menuki back in place.

[Charlie C]

Hi Kevin,

A very interesting menuki pair!

 

I am not an expert on menuki but have a great enthusiasm for it. The filled / not hollow back, the thickness of the plate, and the smoothness of the back all made me believe that this was made rather late, not early. Lacking studs is a hallmark of early Muromachi menuki, but this pair doesn't show any other signs of being made in that time. My personal guess is after 1800.

 

It's quite possible my opinions are not reliable and I would also love to hear from real knowledgeable people out there.

 

Best,

C. C.

[Beater]

Thank you for your comments Charlie. A subject of which I have no knowledge whatsoever as my collecting has been mainly concentrated on gendaito swords from WW2. 
Having posted this for comments I have been reading some old threads about gold menuki on this forum and have quickly realised that cast and modern is not so desirable and I can appreciate the reasons. 
I am reluctant to name the gentleman who I initially asked for his thoughts as his main interest are tsubas and he freely admitted that in so far as menuki were concerned, there were gaps in his knowledge. He has written books on oriental art and I was informed was a curator in a museum with oriental artefacts, so he is someone who I respect. I will attach his email, name redacted, so others can read his thoughts.

Whatever conclusions the more informed reach, nothing will take away from my joy at finding something like this on what was a dirty but very affordable tanto. I’m not trying to sell them or deceive anyone. Just after observations / comments.

[Charlie C]

Thanks for sharing your communication Kevin! This is apparently a very humorous, modest, and wise gentleman you have been talking to. I just wanted to add a little bit of my personal observations, which as I said may well not be correct, on one thing: although menuki as a part of koshirae did exist during the Kamakura period, their form was quite different from what we now know as menuki, which emerged around the mid-Muromachi period. While I’m not aware of any archaeological discoveries, all surviving examples of Kamakura-era menuki tend to have highly formalized geometric or simple floral designs, rather than the more expressive and aesthetic motifs seen in later periods like yours.

 

However, from the photos I wouldn't say this is a modern cast either. Hope other people could provide a more accurate timing.

 

 

[SteveM]

Not much to offer, but I see the same theme on another pair of menuki for sale in Japan, from a dealer who, for some reason, has restricted access to his site. (maybe a spam/spoof site). Anyway, I will attach the photo here just for comparison.

 

I don't know the story behind the theme.