Koshirae

Koshirae

The Koshirae is the mounting 'worn' by a Japanese sword (e.g. katana) when the sword is being worn by its owner, whereas shirasaya is the wooden sheath and grip the sword wears when in storage.

A Koshirae should be presented with the tsuka (hilt) to the left, particularly in times of peace with the reason being that you cannot unsheathe the sword easily this way. In times of war the tsuka should be presented to the right allowing the sword to be readily unsheathed.

Origin of the word

The word Koshirae is derived from the verb "koshirareru", which is no longer used in current speech. More commonly "tsukuru" is used in its place with both words meaning to "make, create, manufacture." A more accurate word is "toso," meaning sword-furniture, where "tosogu" are the parts of the mounting in general, and "kanagu" stands for those made of metal. "Gaiso" are the "outer" mountings, as opposed to "toshin," the "body" of the sword.

Individual parts of the koshirae

*Fuchi - hilt collar (above the guard/tsuba)
*Habaki - wedge shaped metal collar used to keep the sword from falling out of the scabbard and to support the fittings below
*Kaishizuno - a hook shaped fitting used to lock the scabbard to the obi while drawing
*Kashira - butt cap on the end of the hilt
*Kogai - spike for hair arranging carried sometimes as part of Katana-Koshirae in another 'pocket'
*Koiguchi - mouth of the scabbard or its fitting
*Kojiri - end of the scabbard or its fitting
*Kozuka - decorative handle fitting for the kogatana; a small utility knife fit into a 'pocket' on the scabbard
*Kuri-kata - knob on the side of the scabbard for attaching Sageo
*Menuki - ornaments on the hilt (generally under the tsuka-ito)
*Sageo - cord used to tie scabbard to the belt/obi when worn
*Same-kawa - ray skin wrapping of the handle
*Seppa - washers above and below the tsuba of a samurai sword
*Tsuba - sword guard
*Tsuka - hilt
*Tsuka-maki - silk wrapping on the hilt a.k.a "tsuka-ito" or "ito-maki"
*Wari-bashi - metal chop-sticks fit in a 'pocket' on the scabbard

ee also

*Katana construction

References

*Cite web |url=http://home.earthlink.net/%7Esteinrl/koshirae/koshirae.htm |title=Koshirae: Nihon Token Gaiso The Mountings of Japanese Swords |author=C. U. Guido Schiller |accessdate=2008-06-17

External links

* [http://www.shadowofleaves.com/Koshirae%20History.htm History of the Development of Koshirae]


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