Koshirae

[Robertex]

How much attention should we allow for koshirae? The few Nihonto I have are eqiupped with tsuba and koshirae; however, the majority of focus is on the kami. I'm still in the novice stage and display my collection in their livery, but not naive enough to realize that the koshirae may not be original and fabricated/fitted at a later date. I'm starting to ramble here, but what are your thoughts on assessing and preserving koshirae (vice commiting the blade to shirasaya) when there's so much to study about the blade? Should I strip the tsuba off as a stand-alone collection and discard the koshirae, or display the blade in shirasaya with its koshirae and tsunagi? This is probably all personal taste, but then again, the new guy here is trying to focus.

[cabowen]

display the blade in shirasaya with its koshirae and tsunagi?

 

yes.

[sanjuro]

Carl.

 

It is both traditional and adviseable to display the blade in shirasaya and the koshirae with a tsunagi separately on the same stand. Usually the blade in shirasaya is displayed above the koshirae.

Firstly, this method leaves the two major components of the sword in close association. Secondly it allows for the blade to be examined and maintained without subjecting the koshirae to frequent handling. Likewise it allows the koshirae to be appreciated and handled without undue handling of the blade.

The shirasaya is a safer storage for the blade because it contains the blade securely in an oiled state. A koshirae, particularly an old koshirae, often is a looser fit to the blade and is often soiled within the saya and can therefore abrade the blade with constant drawing and resheathing.

Apart from being traditional it is also a very attractive way of displaying the entire sword. :D

[Robertex]

Thanks Chris and Keith! I've been looking for two-sword stands that are simple and dignified in design that won't detract from the saya and koshirae. Do you have any recommendations or examples you can point me to?

[cabowen]

If you are at all handy, try making your own. Simple wood or deer antlers are classic....You can get ideas by googling images...

[sanjuro]

Carl.

 

Its very much a matter of personal taste. Generally speaking, the katana kake should not be of a colour that matches the koshirae. A contrast is considered a better option. Natural wood is always a good alternative because it has a texture and a grain that is often a subtle contrast to the lacquerwork of the koshirae.

There are many images of katana kake on the net and most martial arts suppliers will have at least a couple of modern examples. Paul Chen makes a range of katana kake which are for sale at quite reasonable prices through a number of suppliers. The alternative if you dont care to make your own, is antique katana kake which can be very expensive.