MENUKI

This collective of Japanese Bijutsu includes KODOGU of Robert E. Haynes & Elliott D. Long.

Tosogu: fittings, i.e.: tsuba, and kodogu which is/are: menuki, fuchi/kashira, kozuka, and kogai.

NOTE: All sword fittings (excluding Tsuba) have 'RANK'.

The MENUKI have first (1st) rank.
The KOGAI have second (2nd) rank.
The KOTZUKA have third (3rd) rank.
The FUCHI KASHIRA have fourth (4th) rank.
Fine KOROMONO Sets.
Fine KOSHIRAE available.

	KIJI Menuki 'GOTO TEIJO' $14000.00 Provenance: Elliott Long "Exhibited here are menuki of two kiji (pheasant) fabricated in deep-black shakudo. The menuki are carved in a technique known as Katachi-bori, the subject itself becomes the outline of the menuki. Surface carving and finishing is applied from the front, and in this case is very deep, providing these menuki with exceptional definition and relief. There are gold highlites on the tail feathers and the eye of each pheasant. As can be seen here with this set of kiji menuki, his attention to detail and workmanship is at a high level and full of dignity as is his personality. The chisel-marks are somewhat deep, clear, and strong. His designs suggest the feeling experienced when observing from a lofty riverside dwelling." (Long)
	EIGHT DIRECTION GLARING TURTLE $10,000.00 Provenance: Elliott Long "Exhibited here are menuki based on the ceiling painting. They are turtles with their front paws and heads sticking out sharply, and their glaring gaze is characteristic from the front. The material is shakudo and silver used separately, and fine gold and silver inlay is applied. The tortoise shell, scales, and head are also three-dimensionally carved. The workmanship and the attention to detail is at a high level and full of dignity. The chisel-marks are somewhat deep, clear, and strong." (Long)
	'GOTO MITSUTADA' $5,000.00 Provenance: Elliott Long "Featured here are two plain copper menuki with a two-legged dragon design, inscribed "Goto Mitsutada". His attention to detail and workmanship is at a high level and full of dignity as is his personality. This is a stunning masterpiece set of menuki with a beautifully colored plain copper base and a two-legged dragon design, beautifully crafted. The menuki are carved in a technique known as Katachi-bori, the subject itself becomes the outline of the menuki. Surface carving and finishing is applied from the front, and in this case is very deep, providing these menuki with exceptional definition and relief." (Long)
	EZO Menuki $4000.00 Provenance: Elliott Long "Excellent set of Ezo menuki with a blossom motif. Executed in an alloy called rogin with gold gilding. Rogin is a similar alloy to shibuichi, but with a broader range of silver content. Workmanship is excellent on this set. They are executed in a carving technique called katachibori, where the subject itself becomes the outline of the menuki. This is accomplished by hammering from the back, in a process like repousse', called uchidashi, and then worked with fine carving and engraving from the front to finish the motif. The menuki have both height and niku. There is significant sukashi, which distinguishes them as from the earliest period of Ezo-style works." (Long)
	EZO MEKAN KARA INU $3000.00 Provenance: Elliott Long "Introducing an Ezo menuki with its vibrant gold plating still intact. The craftsmanship is incredibly detailed, and its dynamic form seems to convey a lively breath and even body heat. The way the mouth is open and the tongue is visible is also meticulously depicted, conveying the skill of the maker. The deep, aged grain of the metal is also magnificent, making this a superb piece that adds a dignified and splendid touch to the sword mounting." (Long)
	EZO Menuki $1000.00 Provenance: Elliott Long "An excellent set of Ezo menuki, each with a flora motif. Workmanship is excellent on this set as they are executed in a carving technique called katachibori, where the subject itself becomes the outline of the menuki. They are worked with fine carving and engraving from the front to finish the design. The menuki have both height and niku. The style of the blossoms is an older format, with smooth petals. There is very little sukashi, which distinguishes them being from the earliest period of Ezo-style works, as well as the more martial motif, which coincides with artistic resurgence and zen beliefs in the early Muromachi period." (Long)
	EZO Menuki $1000.00 Provenance: Elliott Long "An excellent set of Ezo menuki, each with a shishi and flora motif. Workmanship is excellent on this set as they are executed in a carving technique called katachibori, where the subject itself becomes the outline of the menuki. This is accomplished by hammering from the back called uchidashi. Then they are worked with fine carving and engraving from the front to finish the design. The menuki have both height and niku. The style of the shishi is an older format, with billowy manes, and ridged backs. There is very little sukashi, which distinguishes them from the earliest period of Ezo-style works, as well as the more martial, animated motif, which coincides with artistic resurgence and zen beliefs in the early Muromachi period." (Long)
	Tsuru Zu Menuki 'OTSUKI MITSUOKI' $4000.00 Provenance: Elliott Long Accompanied with NTHK Kantisho & Hakogaki by Amiya. Edo period.
	UMETADA MENUKI $6000.00 Provenance: Elliott Long Accompanied with NBTHK Hozon. Edo period.
	BELL DESIGN KO NARA $2000.00 Provenance: Elliott Long "Unsigned Old Nara Menuki "Bell Design" with Mountain Copper Ground, Gold and Shakudo Colored Inlay. This item was cherished by a person (pen name: Hoetsu) who once presided over the Naniwa Hotsuba-kai, a research group on sword fittings and accessories. He was involved with the Osaka branch of the Japan Art Sword Preservation Society for many years and is said to have owned many high-quality items. This menuki is a plump bell design relief carving, and is considered to be of Old Nara descent. There is some wear on the shakudo colored inlay, and the mountain copper base metal is partially visible, but the gold inlay on the tassel is relatively clean." (Long)
	KAKKO $2000.00 Provenance: Elliott Long "A brillant shakudo menuki set with carved gold inlay by Kaga metalworker Goto Takunori, Edo period. The theme of this set of menuki is Kakko, a Japanese hourglass drum, played on both sides with sticks. This is used traditionally in Gagaku. It is Mumei but attributed to the Kaga Goto Tradition. The features of this tradition are items made of copper along with silver, gold, and shakudo inlays." (Long)
	'YASUCHIKA' $2000.00 Provenance: Elliott Long Accompanied with Hakogaki (unknown Author) 4th generation Shidai YASUCHIKA menuki dating to the middle of the Edo period.
	KO-GOTO DAISHO $2000.00 Provenance: Elliott Long Accompanied with Sato Kanzan Hakogaki and NBTHK Tokubetsu Kicho (1972) paper. DaiSho Ko-Goto Menuki. Early Muromachi period, ca. 1500.
	KOKINKO BULL Menuki $400.00 Provenance: Robert E. Haynes Katsushirome plate menuki from the same mold. Early Muromachi period. 3.4cm x 1.3cm x 0.4cm.
	KIKUKAMONSHO Menuki $200.00 Provenance: Elliott D. Long A stylized chrysanthemum pattern derived from the Imperial crest. Edo period.

In English, there is an article by Alexander G. Mosle in the 'Transactions of the Japan Society of London', Vol. VIII, pg. 188, titled "The Sword Ornaments of the GOTOSHIROBEI FAMILY." Though this article is the prime source in this language, it has not given biographical detail nor has he gone into the details of technique by which the various masters could be discriminated from one another. Mr. Mosle used Kuwabara as his source and judge for obtaining information for this article and what it does say is trustworthy as far as it goes.