menuki
/mɪˈnuːki/noun
In Japan: either of a matching pair of metal ornaments on the hilt of a sword or knife.
Origin
Early 17th century; earliest use found in Richard Cocks (bap. 1565, d. 1624), merchant and East India Company servant. From Japanese menuki from me eye, (in fig. use) hole + nuki, nominalized stem of nuku to extract, pierce.