説明

Title: Eda Botan Zu Description This Menuki is recognized by The Society for Preservation of Japanese Art Swords, which is known as NBTHK. According to the certificate, this Menuki is attributed to the work of Kyo Kanagu shi (京金具師). The Kyo Kanagu shi refers to a metal fitting craftsman living in Kyoto in the Edo period. They created a variety of metal fittings, including Tsubas and Menukis. Also, this Menuki is made from the Shakudou (赤銅), it is an alloy of copper and gold. This material has often been used for making sword mountings due to its properties. Also, the Shakudou gives the works elegant black color. On this Menuki, gold and silver overglaze paintings, called the Kin Gin Iro-e (金銀色絵), are also applied elegantly. The theme of this Menuki is the Eda Botan (枝牡丹, a branch of peony), which was also used as a family crest of regents regent family in the Edo period. The branch peony crest is a design in which a peony flower is centered, branches are extended to the left and buds are attached, and a leaf is folded. Peony has been called the “king of flowers.” Also, peony represents happiness, wealth, nobleness, and gorgeousness. This flower pattern has been treated as a kind of good-omen motif; people regarded it as a rich harvest sign. Peony is called “Botan” in Japanese. When we write this flower’s name in Japanese, its second letter means mountain hermit medicine that would give us eternal youth. Based on the meaning of this letter, the peony pattern symbolizes eternal youth and longevity. *As this item is an antique, please check each photo and ensure its condition. What is Menuki? Menuki is a kind of metal fitting of the Japanese sword, which was initially put into the handle’s hole. It covers Mekugi (nail) so that the blade of a sword will be fixed. Originally, Menuki was used to hold Mekugi, but they became separated over time. And then, Menuki had developed its practicality and beauty for the decoration of the Japanese sword. Menuki became more decorative than in early modern times. Since it had been attached under the Tsukamaki (the handle of the Japanese sword wrapped by thread), Menuki played an essential role in making it easier to grip the sword’s handle. Why is it that the sword mounting was important for Samurai? The sword mountings of the Japanese sword have many kinds of decorations such as handguards (Tsuba), sword hilt (Menuki), pommel (Fuchi Kashira). The Japanese sword worked as a weapon and as an object to show who he was. For example, it shows their personalities and beliefs. You could say that it is like decorations for smartphones today. We recommend you zoom in on the pictures of the sword fittings. When you do so, you can see the skill of Japanese metal engraving techniques. They are mainly made of iron and copper with inlays of gold, silver, and bronze. When it comes to handguard (Tsuba), each one has a different outline and weight. These sword fittings that have lived with Japanese swords of the same age might be worth as much as the Japanese swords. They are inconspicuous parts of the Japanese sword. Nevertheless, if you are knowledgeable or particular about it, you will become a connoisseur of the Samurai. A B Authentication Paper : NBTHK Hozon Certificate (No. 4004444) NBTHK , also known as Nihon Bijutsu Touken Hozon Kyokai (the Society for the Preservation of the Japan Art Sword), is one of the oldest Japanese sword appraising organizations in modern-day Japan. They authenticated the Menuki on February 26th in the 26th year of Heisei (2014). They appraised it as Hozon Tousougu, the Menuki worth preserving for Japanese society. The purchaser will receive this original certificate as well. We can also translate what is written into English and make a PDF file for your record if you request. 【About us】 Samurai Museum is located in Tokyo, Japan, exhibiting antique artifacts related to the Samurai history. Samurai Museum Shop is the place for those who are interested in Japanese culture and cra