How is the post of menuki attached?

[Jack Zacao]

Hi all, I have wondered for a long time how the post at the back of menuki is made and attached? most of time you can find the four thin metal pieces supporting the base of the post forming a cross shape. What are the purposes of those and how and when are they added at what point in the menuki making process ? I really appreciate your answering or any comments.

[Rawa]

Purpose is for them to suppport shape while holding. Without it you would crush them as they would be empty.

[zanilu]

My guess has always been that the four metal squares or triangles where there to support the post and to strengthen the thin metal of the menuki in the area. As for method of attaching the post and the squares I have alwasynassume brazing.

 

Regards

Luca 

[Geraint]

Dear Jack.

 

I think Marcin is essentially correct.  As you observe most menuki have a rectangular post with four supports at each face which is silver soldered into the menuki, as distinct from brazing.  I have never noted any signs of brazing but sometimes it is possible to see that the silver solder has spread around the back of the menuki.  You will see variations, some round posts and sometimes a star formed support in place of the four rectangles.  The back of the menuki should be slightly radiused so that they fit well against the rounded tsuka and often you will find a depression in the same to seat the post which should protrude beyond the radiused back, the post sitting in the depression helps to prevent the menuki moving out of place under the ito and supports the often thin metal of the menuki itself.  Quite often you will see menuki which have been filled with a composition to provide additional support.

Given the process of forming menuki, uchidashi, then it follows that the supports cannot be fitted until virtually the end of the making process, before patination.  Menuki of very thin metal, often poorly trimmed and with one or more very thin posts rather like a pin are later pressings made in large quantities at the end of the Meiji period and into the 20th century.

 

Hope that helps.

 

All the best.

 

[Jack Zacao]

Thank you all for the comments and answers. It makes a lot of sense that it is for securing the menuki and was soldered on. 

[Bugyotsuji]

Recently I showed a menuki with a missing central post (tubular) to a couple of people, asking whether it could/should be replaced. The answer was no, as the use of heat would affect the gilding zogan on the front. No alternative solution was suggested.

 

This answer was not really very satisfactory. Apart from aesthetics, is it really a problem to have a missing central post in one of a pair of menuki, or am I unduly worried?

 

Asking for a friend from Ilkla Moor baht 'at.

[Bazza]

I would think nothing to worry about as one could support the menuki from crushing by putting in a post, or 'blob' of something like casting in a lump of 5-minute araldite or some such, or sticking in a small piece of protruding metal that would take care of the location/movement problem.  It would be a rare case where you could silver solder a replacement pin.  Just an idea 'on the run' before having lunch and trying to please my missus (not misses) by getting away from the computer and doing some work outside.

 

BaZZa. 

[Bugyotsuji]

That idea goes easy on the old ticker, Barry, and it makes sense! Thank you.
(Just having a curry made by the missiz. This one’s a hit.)

[Brian]

An easy repair by a jeweller with low heat. Silver solder or similar. But I wouldn't bother, nothing to be gained from that.

[Hokke]

9 hours ago, Bugyotsuji said:

Recently I showed a menuki with a missing central post (tubular) to a couple of people, asking whether it could/should be replaced. The answer was no, as the use of heat would affect the gilding zogan on the front. No alternative solution was suggested.

 

This answer was not really very satisfactory. Apart from aesthetics, is it really a problem to have a missing central post in one of a pair of menuki, or am I unduly worried?

 

5 minute job with the laser welder, visually no heat and very clean. Technology.......

[Rawa]

Could this be repaired just by usage of superglue? Metal to metal [cyanoacrylate glue]

[Matsunoki]

Golden rule that applies to all antiques/works of art etc…….of any variety….

No repair is far better than bodged repair🙂

I suspect I am “teaching granny”……🙂

[Bugyotsuji]

Hmmm… will post photos to illustrate problem.

(The remaining tubular copper post has been squished sideways. Impossible to replicate exactly.)

[Hokke]

4 hours ago, Rawa said:

Could this be repaired just by usage of superglue? Metal to metal [cyanoacrylate glue]

The problem with those adhesives is they are most effective bonding two flat surfaces. They hold well when pulling those surfaces apart but they are far less effective when it comes to shearing force. 

[Bugyotsuji]

 

Happier now to leave them like this.

 

Genbu on Aoi plants

 

 

[Matsunoki]

1 hour ago, Bugyotsuji said:

Happier now to leave them like this.

👍

[Jake6500]

On 5/12/2026 at 11:24 AM, Bugyotsuji said:

Recently I showed a menuki with a missing central post (tubular) to a couple of people, asking whether it could/should be replaced. The answer was no, as the use of heat would affect the gilding zogan on the front. No alternative solution was suggested.

 

This answer was not really very satisfactory. Apart from aesthetics, is it really a problem to have a missing central post in one of a pair of menuki, or am I unduly worried?

 

Asking for a friend from Ilkla Moor baht 'at.

Unless you plan to mount them again I don't really see why it would matter Piers...

 

Just think of them as jewelled art meant to be looked at but not worn.