M-127 Goto Joshin Shishi Menuki

SOLD

1500’s

NBTHK Hozon to Goto Joshin

3.28cm length, 1.5cm width, 6.5mm thick

3rd Mainline Master Goto Joshin Masterpiece Menuki

Excellent classic design of double shishi. This design was used by the Goto mainline school throughout their reign as one of the standard designs. What is the difference between Joshin and other Goto artist? Well in the shishi design, please notice the strength of the rear legs of he shishi. They are carved in a very powerful manner, and the muscle structure is carved more accurately. Because they are in such mint condition, one would tend to forget that they are from the 1500’s. He worked for the Ashikaga and was a serving samurai as well. From his works, we can probably guess he was a man of quite a strong spirit. This set is very similar of those that have achieved the Juyo Tosogu certification. From a very old collection, papered for the first time as Goto Joshin. NBTHK certified with custom fitted box.

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MF-284 Daisho Tadpole Otamajakushi Menuki

1700-1800’s

Signed Yasuchika

Size – see pic

Very unusual set of Daisho (2 pairs) menuki. The theme of tadpoles is very rare and is used to depict seasonal activity. The manufacture of this set seems to be that of Higo origin, but they have yet to be submitted to shinsa. Another idea is shonai kinko as well. They are well done and are also unique because they are a true daisho set. A very collectable set of menuki that should be studied more carefully. In an old fitted box that states the menuki are of Yasuchika origin and signed Yasuchika which makes it even more interesting. Another fascinating note about these menukis are the reason for the name in Japanese. Tadpole, or Otamajakushi, literally means ball(Otama)and rice paddle (shakushi), referring to the shape of the tadpole through Japanese Kanji.

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FT-137 Iwamoto Munenaga Tiger Menuki

SOLD

1700’s

Iwamoto Munenaga (Kao) – NBTHK certified.

4.8 x 1.3 x .48 cm

Rare Signed Set of Menuki by Iwamoto Munenaga.

The Iwamoto School was most famous during the Mid Edo period. The master Konkan is well thought of and his works are greatly sought after. Works by this school are very rare as they seemed to care about quality rather than qualtity. This set of well-carved shakudo tigers shows their high level of skill. Careful detail is shown in these piece and are in excellent condition. In a custom box and certified by the NBTHK.

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M-103 Signed Otsuki Mitsuhiro Tou-buki weapons

1800's

Signed Kishotei Mitsuhiro – NBTHK Hozon attribution

Sword -10.35 cm long
Axe - 10.17 cm long

Mike hid the papers from me when I wrote this so now I have to update it (I was close the first time anyways!). Radical large iron menuki signed Kishotei Mitsuhiro. Well cut and designed, this set is over 10 cm long! They look like mini-weapons and are fun show off piece as well as a top quality set from famous Jokko rated smith. Otsuki Mitsuhiro was Otsuki Mitsuoki’s son and the 5th master of the Otsuki line. Mitsuoki was considered one of the top three Kyoto smiths at the time along with Nagatsune and Tetsugendo Shoraku. As Mitsuoki lived a long life, Mitsuhiro spent most of the time working under his father, retiring shortly after his father passed away. It is rare to see a genuine sign piece of the Otsuki school as there are many fakes. It is even rarer to see a signed Mitsuhiro piece. Design is of Tou-buki weapons. They are in excellent condition and come with custom box and NBTHK Hozon paper to Kishotei Mitsuhiro.

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M-101 Enryusai Kanri Menuki of Centipede

1700-1750

Enryusai Kanri -NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon

over 12 cm long

Top class kinko work by Enryusai Kanri (Hirotoshi). Centipedes are traditionally creatures of good fortune and strength in battle. These particular works are large size centipede (mukahide) done in shakudo. These menuki stretch over 12 cm long (4.1 inches) and are certified Tokubetsu Hozon to Enryusai Kanri. He was a student of Noda Kikwan and Yasuchika and worked in the Nara style of the period. Lived in Edo. Kanri is a Ryokou rate smith in the meikan.

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M-115 Goto Spider Menuki

Early/Mid Edo

Unsigned

3.08cm length

1.66cm width top-bottom

4.9mm thickness without pin

Excellent shakudo and gold menuki of spider devouring hornet/wasp.

Goto school menuki of spider and wasp. Seen on many juyo sets of goto kodogu, this is a very classic design. We have not yet put this set through shinsa, but the quality looks like that of mainline Goto and should be submitted. Large in size and in great condition, these are excellent menuki to collect. Menuki have excellent top grade shakudo and come in a custom kiri box.

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M126 Tomohiro TsubameMenuki

Late 1700'-early 1800's

Signed - Tomohiro (Signature guaranteed to pass NBTHK shinsa if sent through us within up to 1 year after purchase)

32.5mm length, 12.3mm face width, 3.8mm thick

Excellent set of sparrow menuki by Tomohiro.

There are 2 Tomohiro listed in the meikan, but we must study more to decide which maker this signature is related to. Judging by the high quality of these menuki, one can see that they were made by an artist  who had a very high level of skill; note the dark black shakudo with fine use of gold and red copper for the accents to the design, as well as the ultra fine line carving on the silver belly of the bird and how sharp the design is cut overall. We had a similiar menuki made by Omori Teruhide, and these are executed at the same high level of craftsmanship! A must see in person, you will not be disappointed.

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C-101 Aizu Masatoshi Tiger (Tora) Menuki

Late Edo

Masatoshi

4.54mm long x  1.74mm wide x .9mm thick

4.42mm long x 1.98mm wide x .59mm thick

Excellent signed large sized shakudo tigers by Aizu Shoami Masatoshi. Excellent iroe work and relief makes this a desirable set to own. Has Sato Kanzan Hakogaki and custom box. NBTHK Hozon Paper. Late Edo period

Signed Masatoshi.

 

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C-107 Shakudo Crab Menuki

Early Edo

Unsigned

 

M-128 Mito Yoshitoshi

Early 1900’s

Signed – Yoshitomo Yoshitoshi signature guaranteed to pass NBTHK shinsa if sent through us within 1 year of purchase

3.5 cm x 1.5 cm

Large Shakudo Peony Signed Menuki

Menuki by the last official Mito kinko artist, Yoshitoshi. This is a rare set, made of top grade materiasl. The shakudo is very high quality, and the presence of solid gold signature plates also indicate that no expense was spared in making this set. The 3 dimensional carving makes the peony appear almost real in appearance. He is listed in the meikan, as an official maker, and he died in showa 33. The original artist origami accompanies this set.

 

 

M-120 Ho’o Phoenix Menuki

Late Edo

Unsigned

3.97 x 1.19 x .36 cm

3.84 x 1.09 x .34 cm

Well carved Phoenix Menuki

Excellent shakudo menuki of phoenix birds. These menuki have not been submitted to shinsa, but would make good candidates to. Judging by the style and detail of work, they are most probably Ichijo school. We will submit them later next year if no one has bought them by then.

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MF-295 Monkey Menuki

SOLD

1700-1800’s?

Unsigned

1.8 x 1.4 cm

 Nice set of well cut monkey menuki.

The theme is done in an amusing sense, with the monkeys looking at something that obviously has their attention. Done on a shakudo base, the gold highlights look like they are done in uttori fashion. This shows the high level of skill used to make these pieces, and explains the life that is seen within them. The copper faces are interesting with a feeling of wonder to their expression.

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