A "Convertible" Handachi Koshirae

[Marcus Devonport]

Wanted to make a dedicated post on the Koshirae for the Naginata-naoshi katana in my previous post. 

 

https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/56695-a-katana-length-nagamaki-naoshi/

 

I would consider this to be late work, likely made around the close of the edo period (if not the early Meiji era). 

 

The saya is in gold nashiji with the upper portion of Saya in black, incorporating the "three-scales" mon of the Hōjō clan. 

 

The real "Novelty element" of the Koshirae are the 'Convertible Ashi', which may be coupled together to form a single hanger, or split, allowing the sword to be worn as a tachi. 

 

I'm not sure I'd go as far as saying it's something "unique" to this particular sword. 

But I've yet to see this feature on any other set of Koshirae, so thought it would be quite an interesting one to s

hare. 

 

Edited Wednesday at 07:59 PM by Marcus Devonport
Link added

[Ray Singer]

It always impresses me to see the workmanship involved in one of these. I've seen several such ashi, and they are always for very high quality blades. This example below is a juyo Enju in my collection. 

 

https://nihonart.com/portfolio/juyo-enju-tachi/

 

 

[Marcus Devonport]

Thanks for sharing, Ray. 

I'm amazed how they achieved such a level of precision on these fittings, to get them to fit together so well. 

 

Found the comments on blade-quality to be very encouraging, as these are the mounts paired with the blade I approached you about the other day 😁

[zanilu]

Hi Ray

 

I just see a difference between your example and that shown by Marcus. 

In yours there is only one loop for the suspension braid to pass trough, so I assume it could not be splitted, in Marcus exemple there are two loops, one for each half, unless I am mistaken. 

 

Regards 

Luca 

 

[Ray Singer]

There are two loops. There are side by side lengthwise and overlapping, so that you see only one in profile however when this comes apart they separate into two individual, functional ashi. 

[Ray Singer]

Unfortunately I am away from the koshirae for a few weeks, but the photos on my laptop were just good enough to enhance and show how the ashi is bisected lengthwise (they pull apart as two ashi along the seam).

[Tim Evans]

Given the timeframe and the high status of the koshirae, it could also have been worn with western dress in the style of toppei koshirae. 

[Marcus Devonport]

Is anyone out there knowledgeable on the appropriate sageo for this mount and how it would be tied (presentation/display knots)

 

It's something that's been hanging in the back of my mind since I first bought it, and I'm absolutely puzzled!