Tsukamaki

[Bugyotsuji]

Not quite sure how to ask this question, but how do the honorable members feel about the tsukamaki? That is, do you want the tuskamaki to look old and worn, or do you prefer new bindings? When you buy a sword koshirae, do you feel the need to rebind?

 

Actually there are maybe three positions in here, a) old and tatty for me, please! b) new and shiny is best! and c) new, but toned down with artificial ag(e)ing is the way to go for me. There is a 'black' cord that is a different color/colour to modern absolute black, he was saying. I was wondering if there is actually a general opinion or is this a very individual area? Please feel free to comment!

 

The reason I ask is that I was having dinner with an apprentice Tsukamaki-shi this evening. He has finished five years of his training and has another five to go under the auspices of his master. His (well, he is not allowed his own clients yet) so, his masters' clients are all Japanese, he was saying. They tend to keep the old bindings until they absolutely have to be replaced/renewed. I said I would ask the world community how they feel about tsukamaki timing.

[Jussi Ekholm]

Well I might not be really qualified to answer since I'm just in the process of buying my first nihonto in koshirae but I have always preferred option A.

 

Sure some new and shiny examples look absolutely stunning but I just love the look of old and worn tsukamaki. Somehow that is how I prefer and maybe with more age and experience my opinion will change but currently I would wait until it has to be replaced.

[Bugyotsuji]

Many thanks, Jussi.

[runagmc]

I would agree. Age is nice as long as it's not too rough.

[John A Stuart]

FWIW, to me wear and use are acceptable as long as it retains its' integrity (same not cracking to pieces, the tsuka core still solid, the wrapping still viable). However these parts are often replaced and if you have an otherwise pristine koshirae a raggedy tsuka will not complement the rest of the koshirae. John

[goose710]

I've only rewrapped two swords that i had Kosirha made for the others are left as bought (old but servicible) gives em that antquie look as they are!!!

 

Charles L Grusovnik

[Eric H]

his masters' clients are all Japanese, he was saying. They tend to keep the old bindings until they absolutely have to be replaced/renewed. I said I would ask the world community how they feel about tsukamaki timing.

Ideally a sword should be preserved with its original koshirae...but if the tsukaito is heavily cracked a tasteful refurbishment is advisable.

However when it comes to koshirae of historical importance, than condition and appearance are neglected because of its testimony of past times.

 

In any case personal preferences are the decisive factor.

 

In dealing with swords there is no compromise, only a blade in proper polish gives satisfaction, whereas with koshirae it is a bit different. Newly wrapped tsuka are often seen in company with exquisite fittings and look fine and harmonious with the koshirae.

 

To bind a tsuka properly is an art itself and competitions with ranking list are performed at NBTHK.

 

Pic...a candidate for a Tsukamaki-shi ?

 

No... ... it‘s an Uchigatana koshirae with black lacquered saya, designated Juyo Toso.

 

Eric

[Ken-Hawaii]

Piers, for Nihonto koshirae, I much prefer the original aged, but not ragged, tsukamaki, mostly because I'm not planning to handle the tsuka except for study.

 

For iaido, however, new tsukamaki is fine. I have an iaito that I've been using for decades with silk maki that looks almost new, so it's obviously hard to really wear out the tsukamaki unless you're abusing the blade.

 

Ken

[Iekatsu]

Do you have any more images of that Uchigatana koshirae Eric? I would love to see them.

[george trotter]

As the uchigatana tsukamaki has been shown, may I say I agree with all who say keep the soiled/used maki unless it is in such terrible condition it endangers the blade or detracts too much.

 

This is a gangimaki mounted uchigatana of mine...yes, soiled by the handling of a warrior in battle...when? 1944-1945.

It is my personal belief that a blade/fitting should be kept as found (under normal circumstances) and it is also my personal feeling that the age of the sword is not necessarily a reason to ignore/reject it...after all, a uchigatana of the wars in 1545 is not really much different from the uchigatana of the wars in 1945...both should be preserved "as found".

just my opinion.

Best regards,

[runagmc]

Eric, I wonder what they put under the leather ito on the tsuka you posted to create bumps like menuki. I can't remember seeing it done that way before.

[george trotter]

Hi runagmc,

They are just "objects"...sometimes with shapes, sometimes with sraight sides...I have never actually seen what they are of course as one would have to unwind the ito to see.

Here is a modern WWII version on an army type 3 uchigatana mounting.

 

http://www.montanairon.com/gifswords/sw ... oshi-5.jpg

(hope it works)

PS, I posted the above WWII gangimaki uchigatana binding (of leather) for Hitori san (forgot to mention it).

Regards,

[runagmc]

Thanks George, the same is on a new post about a Kanezane gunto on the militaria board, so it must not be so uncommon. Hard to believe I've never noticed it before... unless I have seen it before and it slipped my mind, which would be sad considering I'm not even 30 yet :D