Classifications
of Swords
The
Culture of Japanese Swords
Outfit
and Accessories
Military
Swords
Spears
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Outfits and Accessories
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It is very important for the
sword owner to take care of his sword and to express his own
tastes in its outfitting and its accessories. Individual tastes
are manifested in the selection of the Tsuba (hand guard),
the Saya (scabbard), the Himo (cord), the Fuchi-kashira (a
set of metals for the grip), the Menuki(two grip holders),
Kogatana (a small knife), the Kougai( a kind of hair comb),
the Habaki( a metal between the blade and the guard), Setsupa
( spacers between the balde and the hand guard, and the Tukamaki
(the cord on the grip).
The scabbard is made of
a combination of two pieces of wood plate which is covered
by thick Japanese lacquer. All the accessory work is done
among various specialized craftmen.
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Kozuka
and Kougai |
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set of accessories for a Katana or Wakizahi outfit. The
Kozuka (bottom) usually was not a weapon but used as a
paper knife. The Kougai (top) was used by the owner to
style his hire. Both of these have the same chicken on
the ground motif. |
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| Another
Set of Kozuka and Kougai |
These accessories were made from
various kinds of materials. This Kougai (top) is made of copper
and the Kozuka (bottom) is an all-iron piece. The most expensive
material used in making these accessories is Shibu-ichi, which
means " a quarter." It is an alloy made from copper and silver,
with on quarter of its composition being silver.
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| Fuchi-Kashira |
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This is a two-piece set of metal
parts which hold the wooden handle which covers the blade's
tang. The Kshira , which means "head," has holes in it for
the cord used to wrap the wooden pieces of the handle. The
Fuchi, which means " a ring," holds the handle pieces at the
bottom where it joins the Tsuba, a hand guard. This set is
decorated with Samurai equipment, including a horse whip,
a fan, and a flag of command. The base material of these pieces
is Shibu-ichi, and the decorations are of gold, silver, and
copper.
Only very sharp blade
could be mounted with these light-weighted handle with a guard.
A top view of these handles reveal them to be rather oval
in shape and not round.
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| Tsuba |
When the swords were worn on
the belt the Tsuba gave the wearer an important look, and so
much care was taken to make them unique. The Katana handles
were designed to be gripped by both hands, whereas those of
the Wakizahi were to be gripped by one hand only.
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