Samegawa Alternatives For Gunto

[Adam M]

Hello Gents,

 

I have recently been looking at Koshirae in more detail and have come across a few Tsuka where Samegawa has not been used, they all just happen to be in Gunto mounts.

 

The first couple of pics could either be low quality same or another material, The second pic comes from a Amahide blade on the UK to-ken society sword register. Finally the last couple of pics come from a Tsuka currently for sale on Ebay.

 

What is the material used, it is described as doe skin or leather? and is it only used on Gunto, maybe because of a war time material shortage?

 

Does anyone else have examples of this to share?

 

 

Regards,

Adam

 

 

 

 

[Stephen]

sha·green

SHəˈɡrēn/

noun

 

1. 
   
   
   

   1.

   
   

   
   

   
   

   sharkskin used as a decorative material or, for its natural rough surface of pointed scales, as an abrasive.

   
   

   
   

   
   
   
   
   
2. 
   
   
   

   2.

   
   

   
   

   
   

   a kind of untanned leather with a rough granulated surface.

   
   

   
   

   
   
   
   
   
3. 
   
   
   

    

   
   
   
   
   

[Kam A]

At a glance it apears that these tsuka have been "re-worked"?

Anyway the material is leather. . doubt this one was original. . but yes Deer leather is often used as is hemp, silk and even bamboo strips can be used under the Ito.

In regards to the Same there are various Types of same, the type used during ww2 on navel gunto was Ai same (true shark skin) as opposed to Hon same (which means lit - "true same" but comes from a sting ray). I have attached pics as ref. Unfortunately they are the only ones that I own that I can find in my old files on this computer. If nessacery I can access my work hard drive for moredefined images but I think these suffice. Directly related to the question is the interesting inclussion of Yanagi same on the Gunto tsuka. . .out of the hundred or so Gunto tsuka I have seen I have only ever seen 3 with Yanagi.

 

Kam

[tony edmunds]

They also used fake same made of celluloid(an early plastic) during the war, I've seen a Tsuka with this and its not hard to tell from real same.

I've also owned a gunto with really excellent same, which goes to show they used a wide variety of materials.

[Kam A]

Hey Tony

 

I had a piece of celluloid Same that you mentioned floating around. . .so I attached a pic.

 

Kam

 

[Adam M]

Thanks for all of your help.