Menuki (sword-grip ornament) in the form of a samurai in a boat
Culture
Japanese
Date1800s
MediumShakudo (copper-gold alloy) with gilding
Dimensions1.5 × 0.5 cm (9/16 × 3/16 in.), less than 1 oz (weight)
ClassificationsArms and Armor
Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection
Object number2014.520
Label TextMenuki were wrapped into the handle of Japanese swords as decorative mountings. Embodying floral, legendary, and spiritual themes, according to the tastes of the wearer, menuki were typically designed to match the tsuba and other sword fittings.ProvenancePurchased by John W. Higgins on May 1, 1931 from W.O. Oldman (London, England). Given to the Museum on January 8, 1947.
Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.On View
Not on viewCollections
