Menuki is a kind of metal fitting of the Japanese sword, which was initially put into the hole of the handle. It covers Mekugi (nail) so that the blade of a sword will be fixed. Originally, Menuki was used to hold Mekugi, but they became separated over time. And then, Menuki had developed not only its practicality but also beauty for the decoration of the Japanese sword.

Menuki became more decorative from the early modern times. Since it had been attached under the Tsukamaki (the handle of the Japanese sword wrapped by thread), Menuki played an essential role in making it easier to grip the handle of the sword.