noun
menuki; ornamental hilt collar
A pair of small metal ornaments fitted under the hilt wrapping of a Japanese sword, originally serving to improve grip but often highly decorative. This is a specialized term used in the context of Japanese swords and their fittings.
この刀の目貫には龍の細工が施されている。
The menuki on this sword features intricate dragon work.
目貫はもともと手が滑らないようにするための実用的な部品だった。
Menuki were originally practical fittings to prevent the hand from slipping.
The term 目貫 (menuki) likely derives from 目 (me, 'eye') and 貫く (nuku, 'to pierce' or 'to pass through'), possibly referring to the way the ornaments are threaded onto the tang or how they 'pierce' the hilt wrapping. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.