Episode 8: Sword Mountings:
All You Need to Know About KOSHIRAE – SAYA, TSUBA, and so forth
Welcome back to another episode of Katana Archives.
Are you fully aware of what makes up a piece of Katana? Besides its blade (Technically referred to as TO-SHIN/刀身; Blade-Body), there are a few more things to be inspected and admired in Japanese swords. Let’s take a look at them today.

INDEX
KOSHIRAE (拵え; Mountings)
1, TSUBA (鍔; Handguard)
2, KOZUKA (小柄; Small Knife )
3, TSUKA (柄; Hilt)
4, MENUKI (目貫; Hilt decor)
5, FUCHI-KASHIRA (縁頭; Pommel)
6. HABAKI (鎺; )
7, SAYA (鞘; Scabbard)
KOSHIRAE (拵え; Mountings)
The whole category, which refers to all equipment besides the blade, is called KOSHIRAE in Japanese. Below are all parts of Koshirae that you need to have a complete Samurai-style Katana.
1, TSUBA (鍔; Hand Guard)
Generally, round-shaped metal protection is equipped on the bottom end of To-Shin (Blade), called TSUBA. Below are some of our Tsuba collection. Look how much variety of Tsuba there is in the world of Katana.

Dating back to the Samurai times, especially in the Edo period (1603-1868 A.D.), Samurais would appreciate many different Tsuba. They wanted to show off their political status in public by wearing a neatly-designed Tsuba on the blade.
2, KOZUKA (小柄; Small Knife)
Samurais would often put a small knife, KOZUKA, through the hole of Tsuba. It was known for having various use such as cutting fabric, scraping wood, throwing it against the opponent, and such.

They would also put a hairpin (Typically referred to as KO-GAI/笄; Hair-tie) through the other hole. It was known to be one of Samurai’s highest traditional accomplishments to have an identical set of Kozuka, Menuki, and Ko-Gai in the ever-changing fashion trends amongst Samurais.

3, TSUKA (柄; Hilt)
TSUKA is the hilt part of Katana. It is usually comfort-oriented and practical while keeping simplicity and beauty. Rough surfaced stingray covers up the wood body on top of Nakago and thick ropes of cotton tightly binding those pieces in the right place.
There are so many sub-genres in Tsuka, which we would like to come back to in future episodes.

4, MENUKI (目貫; Hilt decor)
In the case of equipment, you hit a bamboo nail MEKUGI (目釘; peg) through the middle part of Tsuka towards the hole on Nakago to fix the tang and Tsuka. There is an attached ornament called MENUKI on each side of Tsuka.


5, FUCHI-KASHIRA (縁頭; Pommel)
Fuchi Kashira is a kind of metal fitting of the Japanese sword, which improves the handle’s strength. Fuchi Kashira is a combination of two parts; Fuchi and Kashira. Fuchi is put next to Tsuba (handguard), and Kashira is placed on the bottom grip. Fuchi Kashira had developed not only its practicality but also beauty for the decoration of the Japanese sword.

6. HABAKI (はばき)
Habaki is the equipment to help the blade kept in the right position in the scabbard. It prevents the blade from getting rusty and chipped. There are various designs of them, such as family crest and slit mark.

7. SAYA (鞘; Scabbard)
Last but not least, or if anything, Koshirae is never complete without a scabbard, SAYA. Katanas’ scabbards should also be categorized into countless different genres that could nearly equal the whole amount of today’s article, but below are some examples.


By closely inspecting a Japanese sword, you will notice how every single part of it is beautiful and sophisticated by itself.
And, you would gradually recognize how those mountings reflect Samurai’s thoughts and their smiths. That is the very reason why we love to offer you a lot of sword mountings at Samurai Gift as well.
Once you know the history behind them, you would surely be captivated by the majesty of Katana’s culture and those who had enjoyed, loved, and passed it over to the present day. We will see you in the next episode.
-SAMURAI MUSEUM-




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$7,395.90

DELIVERY TIME : Approx. 1-1.5 months
*We ship from Tokyo, Japan. There might be delay in shipment depending on countries.
SHIPPING TO :
USA, Canada, Mexico, Switzerland, Germany , Hong Kong, France, UK, Australia
*Please contact us prior to purchase if your country isn’t listed.
INCLUDED : NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate for the blade, Hozon Certificate for Koshirae, Koshirae Mounting , Shirasaya Case, Traditional Sword Carrying Case, Sword Maintenance Kit, Full Exportation Support
Category |
Wakizashi (KOTO)
|
Age |
Early Muromachi Period (1394-1427) |
Swordsmith |
Saemon no Jyo Nobukuni (左衛門尉信国) |
Certificate |
NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate for the blade and Hozon Certificate for Koshirae |
Location |
Yamashiro province (Kyoto) |
Blade Size |
Cutting Edge Length: 45.4 cm ( 17.9 inches)
Curvature: 1.2 cm ( 0.47 inches) |
More photos& videos available on request. Please feel free to contact us.
-
$8,875.08

DELIVERY TIME : Approx. 1-1.5 months
*We ship from Tokyo, Japan. There might be delay in shipment depending on countries.
SHIPPING TO :
USA, Canada, Mexico, Switzerland, Germany , Hong Kong, France, UK, Australia
*Please contact us prior to purchase if your country isn’t listed.
INCLUDED : NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate, Koshirae Mounting , Traditional Sword Carrying Case, Sword Maintenance Kit, Full Exportation Support
Category |
Wakizashi (SHINTO)
|
Age |
Early Edo period (Mid-Late 17th century) |
Swordsmith |
Mutsu Daijyo Miyoshi Nagamichi (陸奥大掾三善長道) |
Certificate |
NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate |
Location |
Aizu province (Fukushima prefecture) |
Blade Size |
Cutting Edge Length: 51.6 cm ( 20.3 inches)
Curvature: 1.2 cm (0.47 inches)
|
More photos& videos available on request. Please feel free to contact us.
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$5,325.05

DELIVERY TIME : Approx. 1-1.5 months
*We ship from Tokyo, Japan. There might be delay in shipment depending on countries.
SHIPPING TO :
USA, Canada, Mexico, Switzerland, Germany , Hong Kong, France, UK, Australia
*Please contact us prior to purchase if your country isn’t listed.
INCLUDED : NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate, Koshirae Mounting , Shirasaya Case, Traditional Sword Carrying Case, Sword Maintenance Kit, Full Exportation Support
Category |
Wakizashi (SHIN SHIN TO)
|
Age |
Late Edo Period ( 1854-1864) |
Swordsmith |
Shouji Yamon Naokatsu (荘司弥門直勝) |
Certificate |
NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate |
Location |
Musashi province (Tokyo prefecture) |
Blade Size |
Cutting Edge Length: 45.9 cm ( 18.0 inches)
Curvature: 0.9 cm (0.35 inches)
|
More photos& videos available on request. Please feel free to contact us.
-
$2,070.85

DELIVERY TIME : Approx. 1-1.5 months
*We ship from Tokyo, Japan. There might be delay in shipment depending on countries.
SHIPPING TO :
USA, Canada, Mexico, Switzerland, Germany , Hong Kong, France, UK, Australia
*Please contact us prior to purchase if your country isn’t listed.
INCLUDED : NBTHK Tokubetsu Kicho Certificate , Shirasaya Case, Traditional Sword Carrying Case, Sword Maintenance Kit, Full Exportation Support
Category |
Wakizashi (SHIN SHIN TO) |
Age |
Late Edo Period (Late 19th century) |
Swordsmith |
Attributed to Ashu Sukeyoshi (阿洲祐芳: Unsigned) |
Certificate |
NBTHK Tokubetsu Kicho Certificate |
Location |
Awa province (Today’s Tokushima prefecture) |
Blade Size |
Cutting Edge Length: 33.0 cm( 13.0 inches)
Curvature: 0.8 cm (0.31 inches) |
More photos& videos available on request. Please feel free to contact us.
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$2,218.77

DELIVERY TIME : Approx. 1-1.5 months
*We ship from Tokyo, Japan. There might be delay in shipment depending on countries.
SHIPPING TO :
USA, Canada, Mexico, Switzerland, Germany , Hong Kong, France, UK, Australia
*Please contact us prior to purchase if your country isn’t listed.
INCLUDED : NBTHK Hozon Certificate, Shirasaya Case, Traditional Sword Carrying Case, Sword Maintenance Kit, Full Exportation Support
Category |
Tanto ( KOTO) |
Age |
Late Muromachi period |
Swordsmith |
Attributed to Kanemasu (兼升) |
Certificate |
NBTHK Hozon Certificate |
Location |
Mino province (Today’s Gifu prefecture) |
Blade Size |
Cutting Edge Length: 28.1 cm (11.0 inches)
Curvature: 0.2 cm (0.08 inches) |
More photos& videos available on request. Please feel free to contact us.
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$5,916.72

DELIVERY TIME : Approx. 1-1.5 months
*We ship from Tokyo, Japan. There might be delay in shipment depending on countries.
SHIPPING TO :
USA, Canada, Mexico, Switzerland, Germany , Hong Kong, France, UK, Australia
*Please contact us prior to purchase if your country isn’t listed.
INCLUDED : NBTHK Hozon Certificate, Shirasaya Case, Traditional Sword Carrying Case, Sword Maintenance Kit, Full Exportation Support
Category |
Wakizashi ( SHIN SHIN TO) |
Age |
Late Edo period (Late 19th century) |
Swordsmith |
Attributed to Chounsai Tsunatoshi (長運斎綱俊: Unsigned) |
Certificate |
NBTHK Hozon Certificate |
Location |
Musashi province (Today’s Tokyo) |
Blade Size |
Length:45.2 cm ( 17.8 inches), Curvature: 1.12 cm ( 0.44 inches) |
More photos& videos available on request. Please feel free to contact us.
-
$4,437.54

DELIVERY TIME : Approx. 1-1.5 months
*We ship from Tokyo, Japan. There might be delay in shipment depending on countries.
SHIPPING TO :
USA, Canada, Mexico, Switzerland, Germany , Hong Kong, France, UK, Australia
*Please contact us prior to purchase if your country isn’t listed.
INCLUDED : NBTHK Tokubetsu Kicho Certificate, Shirasaya Case , Traditional Sword Carrying Case, Sword Maintenance Kit, Full Exportation Support
Category |
Naginata ( KOTO) |
Age |
Nanbokucho period-early Muromachi period (Late 14th-Early 15th century) |
Swordsmith |
Attributed to Uda Kunifusa (宇多国房: Unsigned) |
Certificate |
NBTHK Tokubetsu Kicho Certificate |
Location |
Bitchu province (Okayama prefecture) |
Blade Size |
Cutting Edge Length: 52.3 cm ( 20.6 inches)
Curvature: 2.1 cm (0.82 inches) |
More photos& videos available on request. Please feel free to contact us.
-
$7,395.90

DELIVERY TIME : Approx. 1-1.5 months
*We ship from Tokyo, Japan. There might be delay in shipment depending on countries.
SHIPPING TO :
USA, Canada, Mexico, Switzerland, Germany , Hong Kong, France, UK, Australia
*Please contact us prior to purchase if your country isn’t listed.
INCLUDED : NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate, Koshirae Mounting , Shirasaya Case, Traditional Sword Carrying Case, Sword Maintenance Kit, Full Exportation Support
Category |
Wakizashi (SHINTO)
|
Age |
Early Edo Period (1648-1673) |
Swordsmith |
Echigo no Kami Kanesada (越後守包貞: First-gen) |
Certificate |
NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate |
Location |
Settsu province (Osaka prefecture) |
Blade Size |
Cutting Edge Length: 54.5 cm ( 21.4 inches)
Curvature: 1.06 cm (0.42 inches)
|
More photos& videos available on request. Please feel free to contact us.
-
$8,875.08

DELIVERY TIME : Approx. 1-1.5 months
*We ship from Tokyo, Japan. There might be delay in shipment depending on countries.
SHIPPING TO :
USA, Canada, Mexico, Switzerland, Germany , Hong Kong, France, UK, Australia
*Please contact us prior to purchase if your country isn’t listed.
INCLUDED : NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate, Koshirae Mounting, Shirasaya Case, Traditional Sword Carrying Case, Sword Maintenance Kit, Full Exportation Support
Category |
Katana( SHINTO) |
Age |
Early Edo Period (Approx. 1673-1681) |
Swordsmith |
Sagami no Kami Minamoto Sukeharu (相模守源祐春) |
Certificate |
NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate |
Location |
Settsu (Today’s Osaka prefecture) |
Blade Size |
Cutting Edge Length: 74.2 cm (29.2 inches)
Curvature: 1.51 cm (0.59 inches) |
More photos& videos available on request. Please feel free to contact us.
-
$4,067.75

DELIVERY TIME : Approx. 1-1.5 months
*We ship from Tokyo, Japan. There might be delay in shipment depending on countries.
SHIPPING TO :
USA, Canada, Mexico, Switzerland, Germany , Hong Kong, France, UK, Australia
*Please contact us prior to purchase if your country isn’t listed.
INCLUDED : NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate, Shirasaya Case, Traditional Sword Carrying Case, Sword Maintenance Kit, Full Exportation Support
Category |
Wakizashi (SHINTO) |
Age |
Early Edo Period (1661-1673) |
Swordsmith |
Mutsu no Kami Kaneshige (陸奥守包重) |
Certificate |
NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate |
Location |
Settsu province (Today’s Osaka) |
Blade Size |
Cutting Edge Length: 57.0 cm ( 22.4 inches)
Curvature: 1.0 cm ( 0.39 inches) |
More photos& videos available on request. Please feel free to contact us.