Pair of Menuki
ca. 1660-1724 (made)
Place of origin |
This pair of hilt fittings, menuki in Japanese, are made of shakudo, an alloy of copper and gold which is generally patinated to a rich black colour. They are covered with gold and silver depicting almost identical designs of a bow and quiver of arrows.
Object details
Category | |
Object type | |
Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
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Materials and techniques | copper-gold alloy (<i>shakudo</i>) with gold and silver |
Brief description | Pair of hilt-fittings (menuki), copper-gold alloy (shakudo) with gold and silver depicting almost identical designs of bow and quiver of arrows, signed Goto and Mitsuyo) (Goto Joha, died 1724), Japan |
Physical description | Pair of hilt-fittings (menuki), copper-gold alloy (shakudo) with gold and silver depicting almost identical designs of bow and quiver of arrows, signed Goto and Mitsuyo) |
Dimensions |
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Marks and inscriptions | signed Goto and Mitsuyo) |
Gallery label | Hilt ornaments (menuki)
Menuki are small decorative items made in pairs and bound to either side of the sword hilt. They were positioned on the hilt so that they fitted the palm of the hand when the sword was used, giving a better grip. In some cases they also hid the peg that secured the hilt to the blade. Hilt ornaments were sometimes made in matching sets with the skewers (kōgai) and the handles (kozuka) of utility knives that fitted into the scabbard.
(04/11/2015) |
Subjects depicted | |
Summary | This pair of hilt fittings, menuki in Japanese, are made of shakudo, an alloy of copper and gold which is generally patinated to a rich black colour. They are covered with gold and silver depicting almost identical designs of a bow and quiver of arrows. |
Collection | |
Accession number | M.138-1924 |
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Record created | March 2, 2009 |
Record URL |
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