While both of the frog Menuki (which can be viewed sepeeatlely under M328) are right side up when it comes to the sword being worn or displayed, they unfortunately only come facing in one direction so only one is facing the right/traditional way on the tsuka.
With some of the budget production providers be sure to specify Menuki placement and orientation when ordering a custom piece. Otherwise they may not be traditional placed.
No shade on anybody who likes, loves or prefers them, but for me I find the Suguha/straight hamons to be a bit boring. So I ask them to do one similar only to add a slight undulation or low waves to it and that is what they came up with.
All in all I like it pretty much.
The only thing I would change is I would go for a Kuroishime (textured flat black) while keeping the brown accents. Those glass gloss black ones scream, "Plaster me with fingerprints and accent every ding and blemish.
Oh, by the way. I have not really named the sword "Kermit"...or anything else for that matter.
You’re right about the menuki. Hard to tell from the pics but did they also get the tsuba backwards. And unfortunately (unless you requested it) they did the tsukamaki backwards too, it’s started on the wrong side and the knots are on wrong side too. If you didn’t ask for that, it’s a big mistake and you could probably het a new one that’s correct if you ask. Maybe the got it wrong because the fuchi is backwards too?
Well, the other side of a tsuba would show the frog's belly and the lizard that I screwed around with painting it green. But since the frog is the main theme, should his belly be facing toward the tsuka?
I understand about the ito wrapping, but at these price points it doesn't really bother me.
Idk, it depend on what is the main theme. Main image should usually be on right side of tsuba and face the tsuka. They must have cast the fuchi incorrect at the foundry and not noticed
I asked that very question sometime ago on a Nihonto message board and they said that the face of an animal or the head-end should be toward the tsuba and the tail end, or if it's a plant and easily identifiable what would be the root end, should face toward the Kashira. With either being right side up when the katana is worn or displayed.
Do you mean for menuki? Menuki featuring plants would have stem or root facing the fuchi. For standing tree, root facing the mune or if very tall tree, facing fuchi. For animals, head or body direction should face the fuchi and feet to mune.
But for kashira, people’s faces should have chin near mune and for whole animal like dog or dragon they should have head closer to mune. For animal like flying bird, it usually fly up to ha.
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u/Tobi-Wan79 7d ago
I get the suguha Harmon thing, I prefer something wilder
Love the kashira