Late Muromachi period
Donated by Homma Norio
A menuki is a decorative metal ornament on the hilt of the katana, typically tucked under the silk wrappings of the grip to conceal a nail. This lock-shaped menuki is said to have been made by the Kyoto metalworker Gotō Sōjō.
Gotō Sōjō (1487–1564) was the second son of Gotō Yūjō, founder of the Gotō family line of Japanese sword fittings makers, who was said to have begun his career as a retainer to Ashikaga Yoshimasa. When he was 18 years old, he was sent to jail by his jealous companions. The jail officers took pity on him, giving him a peach to quench his thirst; Yūjō carved 14 small ships and 63 monkeys on the peach pit, which the jail officer presented to Yoshimasa. The latter was so delighted with the work that he pardoned Yūjō, ordering him to carve sword fittings. Sōjō later succeeded his father as the second-generation head of the Gotō family.