Menuki - Copper - horsetail gold color - Japan - Edo Period (1600-1868) (No reserve price)

Menuki are ornamental fittings positioned on the grip of traditional Japanese swords, enhancing grip and adding aesthetic appeal. These particular menuki are made of copper featuring a horsetail plant motif rendered in a gold color, dating back to the Edo Period (1600-1868), a flourishing era for samurai culture and metal artistry. The horsetail motif is a botanical theme representing resilience and longevity in East Asian symbolism. Menuki not only served as functional grip enhancers beneath the wrapping of the handle but also allowed artisans to showcase craftsmanship through detailed metalwork. Their diverse designs reveal cultural values, nature appreciation, and status symbols of samurai owners. Collectors seek menuki for their artistic merit and historical significance as components of traditional Japanese sword mountings.