Menuki

 Menuki are small metal decorations that go on the hilts or tsuka of Japanese Swords. They usually match the overall theme of the koshirae. These are some of the loose menuki from my father's collection and they show the wide range of subjects favored by the Japanese.

Pair of Octopus made of Shakudo, a traditional copper alloy used in Japanese sword furniture such as fuchi, kashira, menuki and tsuba.

 These are of Hotei, or the Japanese Shinto version of Buddha.Shakudo with gold wash.

Stylized pair of long eared hares.Shakudo with gold wash.














This is an interesting set, as they are each a bit different, though in the same style. One is a basket with flowers and leaves and the other depicts a boar surrounded by flowers and leaves in the same style. Shakudo with gold wash.










Pair of chickens, one and hen and the other a rooster. appear to be made of silver.