Regular Samurai Koto Koshirae

[javier]

Are there any pictures or drawings of original koshiraes from the koto period ? I am not looking for the court damyo tachi koshirae type I am eager to learn how the blades were mounted by regular Samurai class during kamakura-Nanbokucho- Muromachi periods.

 

I was able to participate in the great koto koshirae lecture during the last San Francisco Token Kai and I was looking forward to learn more about koto koshirae.

 

Javier

[Curran]

In this book there are several pages of examples:

http://www.japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/books/b734-uchigatana-koshirae-translation-tokyo-national-museum

 

Different non tachi koto koshirae examples can be found in various other books.

[Alex A]

A few images from the book at the bottom of this thread, a great book that that can be difficult to get a hold of, Muromachi

http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/19524-fuchi-kashira-from-1550s/

 

I see Grey has one available at very reasonable price!

[javier]

Thank you Curran and Alex !

[Jean]

There is also an excellent book by Markus Sesko

[kissakai]

There is ALWAYS an excellent book by Markus Sesko  

[Ron STL]

l'm not positive of the title -- Tensho Koshirae? -- a very large taikan size book on koshirae of that period. Sits with my books and something I should pay more attention to! Always advisable to be familiar with early koshirae and be aware of their importance. Ron STL

[javier]

Thank you Jean and Ron!

[Jussi Ekholm]

I agree with the above posters. Koshirae Taikan by Markus Sesko is a great book I strongly suggest getting it. Uchigatana koshirae is also another amazing book.

[Darcy]

This was at the Dai Token Ichi and is a very interesting set. The sword is an ubu tachi attributed to Rai Kuninaga and is 86cm. The koshirae is original to the blade and is Muromachi period. It certainly fits the description of a use item rather than a show item.

 

[nagamaki - Franco]

Hi Darcy,

 

Image doesn't seem to open up after several attempts?

 

Thanks.

[Greg F]

Darcy that is amazing to still be in that condition. Would love to see it in color and the blade for that matter. Thanks for sharing.

 

Greg

[Guido]

At yesterday’s sword meeting a collector of tsuka (yes, there are people who specialize in that) brought – among others – two tsuka from the Muromachi period.

 

The uchigatana tsuka is a very typical example, but the tachi tsuka is quite interesting: the menuki are exactly opposite each other, and it has a full same wrap all the way down, as well as a fuchi without tenjōgane (much like a traditional Japanese kitchen knife); also, the tsuka is egg-shaped.

[Greg F]

Guido, I can definitely see the attraction to collecting Tsuka. Cherrs.

 

Greg

[Brian]

Fantastic opportunity to examine something that rare and old. Really interesting. Thanks for sharing, and to the owner for allowing the pics.

[javier]

Darcy and Guido

 

Thank you for sharing such an interesting material!