| The Japanese term Koshirae is a term that | | | | sword, or it can slice right through the saya and |
| describes the Japanese Sword with their | | | | slice one or more of your fingers, possibly even |
| components being worn. This term is used to | | | | cut one off! One side of the Saya has a wooden |
| define all of the component parts, like the Tsuba | | | | knob attached to it so you can connect a braided |
| and Scabbard. The Shirasaya is a term that | | | | cord known as the Sageo. |
| describes the wooden sheath and grip of the | | | | The Sageo |
| sword when it's in storage. The terms are the | | | | The Sageo is constructed with silk, leather or |
| same, but one defines being in use and the other | | | | cotton. It is made to be put through the hole |
| in storage. Koshirae isn't used any longer in | | | | inside of the Kurigata, which is a hole in the Saya. |
| current speech, as the term Tsukuru has replaced | | | | Sword Masters use several different methods to |
| it. Tsukuri means to create, to make or to | | | | wrap and tie the Sageo onto the Saya for display |
| manufacture. | | | | and cosmetic purposes. |
| Lets explore a few of the most popular Japanese | | | | The Tsuba |
| Sword Mounting pieces. | | | | The Tsuba is located Right between the Habaki |
| The Habaki | | | | and right before the Saya or Scabbard. It's the |
| The Habaki is the piece of metal that wraps itself | | | | guard that is round or once in a while you'll find it |
| around the blade right above the Tsuba. The | | | | square, that is located at the end of the |
| Habaki has two purposes. One is to hold the | | | | Scabbard. You'll see this a lot on Katana Swords. |
| Tsuba in place, and the other is to keep the | | | | Weapon owners usually control the Sword by |
| weapon inside the Scabbard or Saya. Sometimes | | | | placing their right index finger on the Tsuba. It's |
| through lots of use the Habaki can cause normal | | | | also used to protect the hand since it prevents |
| wear and tear on the sword, which will cause the | | | | the hand from sliding into the blade when a thrust |
| owner to have to get a new Scabbard. | | | | is given by the user. It is NOT made for the |
| The Saya | | | | purpose of protection from an opponent strike. |
| Scabbard means Saya in Japanese, specifically in | | | | Centuries ago, the Tsuba was made from |
| the defintion of a sword or knife. In laymens | | | | stronger metal and was made more for combat. |
| terms it is the handle of the sword. Normally | | | | Later when the Japanese were in a period of |
| these are constructed from very light wood, with | | | | peace, around 1600 to 1880 AD, the Tsuba was |
| a high lacquer finish. Since the wood is so light, | | | | created more for decoration and made of gold |
| you have to be very careful when you draw the | | | | and other metals which had no combat value. |