Sell Menuki

Sell your antique Japanese Menuki

Do you own authentic Japanese Menuki that you are considering selling?
Supein Nihonto buys antique Japanese menuki directly from private collectors, families, estates and dealers worldwide.
We are interested in individual menuki, matching pairs, signed and unsigned examples, certified pieces and complete collections.
If you are unsure about the maker, school, material or age of your menuki, send us clear photographs and we can assess them.
Menuki de shakudō

What Menuki do we buy?

We consider a wide range of authentic Japanese Menuki, including:
Menuki koi fish copper
  • Matching menuki pairs
  • Individual menuki
  • Shakudo menuki
  • Shibuichi menuki
  • Gold menuki
  • Silver menuki
  • Copper menuki
  • Mixed-metal examples
  • Edo-period menuki
  • Earlier Japanese menuki
  • Signed pieces
  • Unsigned pieces
  • NBTHK-certified menuki
  • NTHK-certified menuki
  • Menuki in storage boxes
  • Pieces with provenance
  • Menuki associated with complete koshirae
  • Complete collections
We are primarily interested in genuine Japanese pieces with historical, artistic or collector value.

What are Menuki?

Menuki are small decorative fittings traditionally placed beneath the wrapping of a Japanese sword handle, or tsuka.
Although they had a practical role within the grip, menuki also developed into highly refined works of metalwork.
They can depict a wide variety of subjects, including:
  • Animals
  • Dragons
  • Mythological creatures
  • Samurai
  • Gods and deities
  • Plants and flowers
  • Birds
  • Insects
  • Family crests
  • Objects from everyday life
  • Religious and literary themes
Because of their small size, the quality of the carving and detail can be especially impressive.
menuki
Menuki de shakudō

Matching Menuki pairs

Menuki were commonly made as pairs.
A matching pair may share:
  • The same subject
  • Complementary compositions
  • Materials
  • Decorative techniques
  • Artist or school
  • Patina
  • Provenance
If you have both pieces, please keep them together.
Photograph them side by side as well as individually. A complete pair can have greater collector interest than one isolated menuki.

What determines the value of Menuki?

The value of antique Japanese Menuki depends on a combination of factors.
These may include:
Maker, school, historical period, material, quality of carving, relief work, inlay, gilding, design, subject, completeness of the pair, condition, originality, certification, provenance, rarity, collector demand.
Size alone is not an indicator of value.
Exceptional small fittings can represent extremely sophisticated Japanese metalworking.

Signed and unsigned Menuki

Many Menuki are unsigned, although some may carry signatures or attribution-related markings.
The absence of a signature does not mean that a piece is unimportant.
We assess Menuki according to:
Workmanship, Material, technique, subject, style, condition, school, period, certification, provenance.
Fine unsigned Menuki can be highly collectible.
Menuki
Menuki

Materials and decorative techniques

Menuki were produced using a variety of metals and alloys.
Common materials include:
Shakudo, shibuichi, copper, gold, silver, iron, mixed-metal alloys.
Decorative techniques may include:
Takabori, iroe, gold overlay, silver inlay, engraving, chasing, relief carving, patination, applied decoration.
Close-up photographs are especially important when assessing menuki because many relevant details are very small.

Menuki schools and makers

Menuki were produced by many important Japanese metalworking traditions.
Depending on the piece, attribution may relate to:
  • Goto
  • Nara
  • Mito
  • Hamano
  • Ishiguro
  • Yanagawa
  • Omori
  • Higo traditions
  • Other kinko schools
You do not need to know the school before contacting us. Clear photographs of the front, back and sides are usually enough for an initial review.
Menuki

Certified Menuki

We are interested in menuki accompanied by recognised documentation.
These may include:
  • NBTHK papers
  • NTHK papers
  • Previous auction records
  • Japanese collection documentation
  • Old collector labels
  • Provenance records
  • Storage boxes with inscriptions
If papers are available, please photograph the complete document.
You do not need to translate Japanese certificates before contacting us.
fuchi kashira menuki

Menuki with Fuchi-Kashira

Some Menuki survive together with related Fuchi and Kashira.
If the pieces share the same subject, style or provenance, they may have been part of a coordinated sword mounting.
Please photograph the complete group together.
Associated fittings can include:
  • Fuchi
  • Kashira
  • Tsuba
  • Menuki
  • Kozuka
  • Kogai
  • Kojiri
  • Other koshirae fittings
Do not separate a coordinated group before assessment.

Menuki from a complete Koshirae

Menuki sometimes remain mounted beneath the tsuka-ito of an original or historical sword mounting.
If this is the case, do not remove them unnecessarily.
Photograph the complete Tsuka and Koshirae first.
The relationship between the fittings and the sword mounting can provide useful historical context.
Menuki from a complete Koshirae
Menuki in storage boxes

Menuki in storage boxes

Collectible menuki are frequently stored in fitted wooden boxes.
These may contain:
  • Hakogaki
  • Attribution notes
  • Collector inscriptions
  • Labels
  • Seals
  • Previous ownership information
Please photograph both the menuki and the complete box.
The box and associated documentation may provide useful provenance information.

Inherited Menuki

Many Menuki are inherited without any detailed information.
You do not need to know:
  • The maker
  • The school
  • The period
  • The material
  • Whether they form an original pair
  • Whether they are certified
  • Their current market value
Clear photographs are usually enough to begin an initial assessment.

What photographs should i send?

Please send:
Front of each menuki, back of each piece, side views, close-ups of the decoration, any signatures or inscriptions, both pieces together, storage box, certificates, labels, provenance documents.
Because Menuki are small, sharp macro photographs are particularly useful.
Natural or neutral light is preferable.

How the selling process works

Complete the form and upload clear photographs of the menuki and any available documentation.
We assess material, workmanship, condition, attribution and collector interest.
We may request measurements, macro photographs or additional provenance information.
If the Menuki are of interest and an agreement is reached, we will explain the next steps for payment and secure delivery.

Condition and patina

Menuki do not need to be in perfect condition.
We may consider pieces showing:
  • Surface wear
  • Old patina
  • Minor oxidation
  • Worn gilding
  • Small losses
  • Historical repairs
  • Minor deformation
  • Signs of previous mounting
Please do not polish or aggressively clean antique Menuki.
Original patina and surface details can be important for attribution and collector value.

Sell a Menuki collection

We also purchase complete collections of Japanese Menuki and related sword fittings.
These may include:
  • Multiple matching pairs
  • Individual menuki
  • Signed pieces
  • Certified examples
  • Shakudo menuki
  • Gold and silver examples
  • Menuki with fuchi-kashira
  • Mixed tosogu collections
  • Boxed pieces
  • Large private collections
For larger collections, overview photographs and detailed images of the most important pieces are sufficient for the initial contact.
Sell a Menuki collection

Not sure whether your Menuki are authentic?

You do not need to authenticate them before contacting us.
Menuki can be difficult to assess because later reproductions, decorative copies and modern pieces exist.
Send us clear photographs and whatever information you have available.
We can determine whether the pieces are relevant to our area of specialisation.

Sell your Menuki

If you own antique Japanese Menuki, a matching pair or a complete collection that you are considering selling, send us photographs for an initial specialist assessment.
Individual pieces, matching pairs, certified Menuki and complete collections are welcome.

    One itemSeveral itemsA complete collectionAn inherited collectionI am not sure

    YesNoI am not sure

    What our customers say

    SupeinNihonto was born from years of dedication to traditional Japanese martial arts such as Aikido, Kendo, and Iaido, and a deep passion for collecting authentic samurai weapons and armor.
    Emanuele S. profile picture
    Emanuele S.
    6 months ago
    I had an excellent experience with Supein Nihoto. I purchased a katana and a wakizashi, and both pieces are truly beautiful — carefully selected and of remarkable quality. You can immediately see the attention to detail and the seller’s passion for what he offers. The packaging was also exceptional: all the documentation was perfectly arranged in a refined envelope, which added a very elegant touch to the whole experience. As a thoughtful gesture, he even included a small katana kake stand as a gift, which I greatly appreciated. Beyond the objects themselves, the seller was very helpful, responsive, and clearly knowledgeable. His selection is outstanding, and you can tell he deals in genuinely fine items. Highly recommended — I would definitely purchase from Supein Nihoto again
    Dimitrios K. S. profile picture
    Dimitrios K. S.
    8 months ago
    Legit dealer of Japanese treasures ! This man loves his work is not just reselling items, at first he is a collector and does this out of true passion.
    Burke J. profile picture
    Burke J.
    9 months ago
    I received a beautiful tokubetsu hozon nihonto for Christmas from Supein. Actually my wife purchased the sword after receiving some helpful hints and recommendations lol. She knows absolutely nothing about nihonto but Supein walked her through everything honestly and I ended up with something beyond my dreams and expectations, honestly. The packing was exceptional, shipping fast and the sword itself a literal work of art. Supein has a lifetime customer now as my collection grows. Thank you!
    Anton S. profile picture
    Anton S.
    10 months ago
    Great packaging and quick delivery — thank you! The item’s quality was exactly as described. I’m very pleased with the purchase.
    Nathan C. profile picture
    Nathan C.
    1 year ago
    Excellent service, great communication, object exactly as described. Recommended seller! +++
    Javier L. profile picture
    Javier L.
    2 years ago
    I had been looking for a tachi with a lot of curvature for a long time and I called Supein Nihonto. They didn't have any tachi with the sori I was looking for, but I was treated with a lot of love and professionalism and we were talking for a long time. The next day I received a call from the shop, telling me that they had received new swords and that there was a tachi with a lot of sori. That same afternoon he already had a lot of photos of the sword and its measurements. I found the price good, especially if I compared it to other Spanish sellers of Nihonto. The shipment took a day and the package arrived in perfect condition, as the person in charge of the packaging puts a lot of effort into the work and the result is a strong packaging. Without a doubt, Supein Nihonto is my 100% recommendation!

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