Purpose of the sarute on Tachi

[dakary]

Hi everybody,

Basically the title says it all. What is the purpose of the sarute on tachi? I think it is to hold a tassle but I have seen some period art that has the sarute with a tassle handing off it, some without, and some where a tassle replaces the sarute. Any insight? Is it just an option for a tassle that not everbody utilized? Or is there something I'm missing. 

Thank you!

Dan

[Larason2]

Apparently, the tassle on the end was to help prevent dropping it when you lose your grip, the sarute just a ring or eyelet for the tassel. Tassels were and still are very common on Chinese swords, where they serve the same purpose, but on Japanese swords they are less present, because Japanese sword styles tend to grip the handle of the sword more, making it less likely to slip from your grasp.

[dakary]

Ah thanks Larason! I guess the sarute is there specifically for a tassle but it is just that some people opted not to use it. Sort of like the holes in tsuba - not everybody who had those holes had a Kogai and kozuka. They just provide an option.