Lacquered Sayas

[Droocoo]

Hi all,

 

Exploring further differences between Type 3 and Type 98 officers' swords, I have noticed that many of the Type 3 swords seem to be fitted with wooden, lacquered sayas whereas Type 98's and indeed Type 95's are fitted with painted metal sayas. 

 

To me, this is somewhat confusing. What was the more desirable saya; the lacquer or metal variety?

The lacquer may have taken significantly more care to apply in coats, but was less durable than the metal. If this was the case, why then was the Type 95 given a metal saya and not a lacquered one? After all, the saya in many instances would be covered by a leather combat covering.

 

Hope someone can shed some light,

 

Andrew

[IJASWORDS]

Andrew, to answer your question, sword/koshirae outfits were made by a number of individual companies. Although the basic pattern was mandated, individual companies used their own fittings, and also offered a good/better/best range. Pictured below are 3 star stamped blades all made in 1944, in koshirae ranging from painted steel, through various grades, to a premium quality sword. It was a matter of what was offered, and because officers PAID for their swords, they could buy a basic sword, or premium example. 

The RS swords are only rarely found with leather covers, (look at photo's of surrendered swords). 

The 95 was a continuation of the model 32 with metal scabbard and extended drag. 

I believe you are getting a star stamped blade in RS mounts, this will be in premium option koshirae, like the first sword pictured. 

I would strongly recommend you buy Dawsons book on swords, if you want to learn about the various models and variants. I believe NMB member Gray Doffin sells them.   

[PNSSHOGUN]

Wooden lacquered Saya can be found on Type 98 and they are usually on good quality examples. In all cases I would say the wooden lacquer Saya are more desirable to collectors today. Perhaps it was different for officers during the war who carried them. 

[Droocoo]

Thankyou Neil and John,

 

I have purchased a copy of Dawson’s book which is on its way! 
 

Yes that was partly why I asked. The saya on my sword is lacquer with an RJT blade and an iron tsuba. The picture is pointing towards a premium variant optimised for combat. However, it is fascinating that the metal scabbards were not preferred given the hard operating conditions that these swords endured. I wonder if this has to do with rust and moist climates.
 

I don’t think that I have ever seen a Rinji sword in leather mounts if I am honest? 
 

Kind Regards,

 

Andrew

[Bruce Pennington]

Another angle, that would matter to me if I were trudging about the hot sweltering jungles of SE Asia or Pacific islands - the wooden saya, leather covered, is WAY lighter than the metal.  I have read somewhere that officers sometimes owned both, using the metal, fancy saya for office and the leather covered wooden for the field.  Have no idea if that's true, though.

[Brian]

What about war material and metal becoming a scarce commodity. Would they not have promoted wood instead of metal?

[Bruce Pennington]

1 minute ago, Brian said:

What about war material and metal becoming a scarce commodity. Would they not have promoted wood instead of metal?

The really late-war saya were coarsely made wood with leather.  But that doesn't account for all the years prior.

[Droocoo]

An interesting discussion - I suppose if war materials and labour were an issue, then potentially the wooden scabbard has some drawbacks. After all, it is more labour intensive and cannot be simply cast like a metal saya can.

 

I would have thought that metal sayas provided better protection particularly from crushing forces than wooden/lacquered scabbards due to the tensile strength of metal. This would be particularly relevant when soldiers had an expensive, historic or ancestral blade mounted. The Rinji katana that I possess, has a high-quality blade but is mounted in a lacquer saya. Sure it is lighter, but metal does provide better protection when you have gone to all of this trouble to purchase an expensive blade. I am aware that Rinji swords rarely have metal sayas, but that is beside my point.

 

Furthermore, theoretically a painted metal saya somewhat negated the requirement for a leather combat cover, requiring less protection from moisture than a wooden saya. I am also aware that a lot of troops carried metal sayas inside leather coverings.

 

Food for thought,

 

Andrew

[Bruce Pennington]

7 hours ago, Droocoo said:

Rinji swords rarely have metal sayas,

I've found just the opposite.  I would say a majority are metal.  The tan colored steel saya with showato in them are quite plentiful.  We just tend to see the expensive, upgraded versions here at NMB because they are exceptional and gorgeous, and usually have a gendai blade in them.