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-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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M-114 Large Size Warrior Menuki

Late Edo

Unsigned

4.12 x 1.66 x .51 cm

3.97 x 1.88 x .55 cm

 

 

Large menuki of Yoshitsune and Benkei

Excellent large size menuki depicting Yoshitsune charging Benkei. A famous story from the tale of the Heikei, Yoshitsune attempted to cross Gojo bridge where Benkei had stationed himself previously disarming 999 samurai of their weapons as they attempted to cross the bridge. Yoshitsune was able to defeat the fearsome Benkei and the powerful Benkei pledged himself to become Yoshitsune's retainer. These menuki are probably the work of Yamasaki Ichiga school in Kyoto and are notable for their high quality and large size. Comes with custom fitted kiri box.

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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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M-119 Kamakiri Menuki

Edo

Unsigned

3.37 x 1.74 x .41cm

3.13 x 1.67 x .45 cm

Large Shakudo Mantis Menuki

Well carved shakudo menuki of Praying Mantis (Kamakiri). Mantises represent a symbol of bravery in Japan and whose imagery was imported over based on a story of a brave mantis that stopped the carriage of a prince. This is why sometimes we see a depiction of Mantis’ and a broken wheel. This particular piece is large in size and made with high grade shakudo.

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M-118 Ko-Goto Medicine Wheel

Momoyama

Unsigned

3.36  x 1.53 x .45 cm
3.37 x 1.55 x .51 cm

 

Excellent Ko-Goto Medicine wheel.

High grade shakudo menuki of medicine wheels used to grind herbs for Japanese medicines. The workmanship and age of the piece are most probably the work of a Ko-Goto smith. These menuki have not been submitted for shinsa yet.  These menuki were once part of a very famous collection in Japan. Comes with custom fitted kiri box.

 

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M-116 Gold Crane

$600

1800's

Unsigned

3.33 x 1.11 x .62 cm
3.38 x 1.27 x .68 cm

 

Gold Tsuru (Crane)
Enjoyable gold menuki of cranes done in uttori-foil under copper base. These menuki can be used for mounting or are enjoyable as a standalone piece.

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M-117 Dragon Hokoyari

$550

1800's

Unsigned

7.74 x 1.31 x .65 cm

7.79 x 1.27 x .58 cm

 

Large size menuki of Dragon Halberds

Excellent large menuki of halberds with dragons done in shakudo and silver with some gold.  Nice deep patina on the menuki with great use of mixed metal and carving. Would make fun addition to any collection as well as excellent for mounts.

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M-113 Gold Amaryu Water Dragon

$500

1800’s

Unsigned

Gold Amaryu (water dragons)
Nice large sized gold menuki of water dragons. In good condition. Good for large sized mounts or to be enjoyed alone.

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M-104 Sun Moon Menuki set

$475

1800’s

Unsigned

Very Nice Sun and Moon Set 
A very nice set of menuki that contains various metals in the design. Gold for the sun and silver for the moon with the base metal being a type of shibuichi. Basically, a stylized day and night set. The way that the sun and moon are done is very interesting and are actually a very well done set of menuki. Great for mounting on a nice koshirae. As they are large in size, best for a large wakizashi or katana. In very good condition.

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M-121 Autumn insects (Suzumushi)

$400

Late Edo

Unsigned

Shakudo Suzumushi Menuki

Shakudo  menuki of autumn insects called suzumushi in Japan.  Fine menuki for either mounting or a fun addition to the collection

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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-111 Dokko Ko-Goto

 

1500’s

Unsigned – Ko Goto School / Joshin

Very Large Vajra Menuki Goto

Very nice set of large Goto menuki design of Dokko (Vajra) handles. Done very well, this set has a good chance to be attributed to Goto Joshin, as they are well made and very large. For their age they are in spectacular condition, very strong in their design, Goto work such as this is very well sought after. Done in ultra high relief, they are truly 3 dimensional. 8.3mm tall!!!! This subject was welcome to many bushi as they are part of both a warriors spirit as well as that of Buddha. Done in shakudo with silver and gold for the accents, this set shows the quality from the Koto period Goto School. At the very least we believe that this set is Ko Goto , and even can be named to Joshin the 3rd master due to all of the characteristics. A very nice set at a special price until we submit to the shinsa.

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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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M-112 Tombo Dragonfly Menuki

 

SOLD

1800’s

Unsigned

Nice Dragonfly set of Menuki

Very nice and interesting set of dragonfly menuki. Well cut and designed, this set is in very nice condition.What is a little interesting is the fact that there is a cross on the center of the body (Christian? Satsuma?). Who knows, they have not been sent to Japan for shinsa yet, it might be interesting to see what they say about those crosses. Done in shakudo, with gold for the accents and the wings. In very good condition.

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