Making a sword stand...thoughts?

[OnTime2Day]

Hi all!

 

Going to build a custom sword stand to honor the family heirloom swords I inherited plus the very old Tanto recently discovered. I can make a traditional style or one from Deer antlers (actually easier). Would love to hear your opinions. Please see the attached vintage examples from Japan.

 

Keeping traditional Japanese beliefs in mind, does using antlers in this way go against any cultural/spiritual norms or diminish honoring said swords?

 

Thank you!

[Ken-Hawaii]

I've seen several sword stands made from antlers, Ryan, so go for it! If antlers didn't freak out my wife's cats, I'd have one, too.

[SAS]

Oddly enough i made one the day before yesterday for the shop, using a koa base and some axis deer antlers; it still needs to be sanded and oiled...I will post it later if it is helpful.

[jeremy]

That is fantastic!

[PNSSHOGUN]

This type of sword stand is particularly nice, I would recommend the base as a nice piece of burnished wood like so:

 

And my one which is very close to your last picture, which is kind of ugly compared to the others but a wakizashi hides the base nicely.

[Bugyotsuji]

The base is often uber-heavy in Japan because of earthquakes and center of gravity considerations, antlers being heavy enough already.

 

If I had any reservations about stag antler, they might be re possible damage to the saya. You can either place a little square of cloth in the forks, or just be extra gentle when moving, lifting and replacing your koshirae.

[ROKUJURO]

Ryan,

I am not sure if antler is the better material, but if you choose to use this, make sure that the swords are supported by the SAYA and not by the TSUKA! 

[OnTime2Day]

Thanks for the feedback and great ideas all!  John, that set-up looks nice!!

[DoTanuki yokai]

Some months ago i build this.

[Dave R]

The base is often uber-heavy in Japan because of earthquakes and center of gravity considerations, antlers being heavy enough already.

 

If I had any reservations about stag antler, they might be re possible damage to the saya. You can either place a little square of cloth in the forks, or just be extra gentle when moving, lifting and replacing your koshirae.

 

 Good to know about the base. Regarding wear on the saya,should  the sword  be in a bag anyway?

[ROKUJURO]

Dave,

in Japan, swords are generally not displayed. For special occasions or in museums, KOSHIRAE (with TSUNAGI) are temporarily displayed while the blade often rests in its SHIRA-SAYA. Naked blades as shown above can only be admired in shops or museums. 

[SAS]

Here is mine....koa and axis deer antlers, something for the shop.

[Andi B.]

...I would prefer the traditional wooden stand (antler is a bit too rustic for my taste), but because I don't own an old authentic one, I have to use modified acrylic stands for shoes ...

[uwe]

A Japanese one, with a drawer in the base.....

 

[Ken-Hawaii]

Nice display, Uwe.

[uwe]

Thanks Ken!

It shows a strange couple (not the Kabuto  ). A Tanto with its “original” Koshirae. Puzzling me, ever since I found it on a flea market about a decade ago. But that’s another topic.....

[Bugyotsuji]

Thanks Ken!

It shows a strange couple (not the Kabuto  ). A Tanto with its “original” Koshirae. Puzzling me, ever since I found it on a flea market about a decade ago. But that’s another topic.....

 

Do tell! 

[uwe]

Hi Piers,

 

the blade is only half the length of the saya. I’ve checked the slot for the blade......it ends at the very same point. So it seems, this Wakizashi sized Koshirae was particularly made for this Tanto.

Strange, isn’t it!?

[Ganko]

The length of the saya may be due to the fact that short sayas can easily fall out of one's obi when walking about. Some tanto koshirae even have lead added in the saya near the kojiri to help retain it in the obi. It may be more of a problem with yoroi doishi which are heavier near the tsuka.

[uwe]

That might be a reason Tom and makes sense especially with the lead!

But I can only remember to heard about wakizashi carried around in katana koshirae. Haven’t seen any case of a Tanto in such overlong mounts....that, however, means not much. 

[OnTime2Day]

Great ideas and feedback all! I’ve settled on my design (see my poor attempt at a pencil sketch haha). Base will be mahogany two stacked rectangles with a small legs on each side. Already picked up a nicely grained wood piece and, found a really nice antique 8” wood plane (another lucky antique store find, ha). Already sharpened the plane and in use on the rough cut side of the wood. This will also be very handy for all the Honoki wood already ordered and on the way from a Japan for my Shirasayas ...another project.

 

Dimensions

2’x 6” x 1 5/8” bottom

18” x 4” x 1 5/8” top

6” x 1” x 1/2” legs

 

Welcome any thoughts and suggestions as always.

[ROKUJURO]

Ryan,

the wood is the easy part. Finding a small pair of fitting antlers with just the right number and width of the prongs might be another task. Maybe look for SIKA deer.

[OnTime2Day]

Ryan,

the wood is the easy part. Finding a small pair of fitting antlers with just the right number and width of the prongs might be another task. Maybe look for SIKA deer.

Exactly my thoughts. Have been looking at Sika antlers all week. They seem to be more upright and suitable for this purpose (plus are Japanese) so speak to the spirit of the project. Fortunately there are a few vendors out there.