Urushisuji

Hi All, For those interested, a short blog post showing xrays of two different shin guards (suneate): http://blog.ngv.vic.gov.au/2014/10/10/x ... EOliyg46ap Warmest wishes, Suzi S

Many thanks for all the great links Eric. The lacing went well - it's challenging as the holes between the wooden parts are all internal. I laced them with the wooden parts slightly apart, about an inch gap, so I could help feed through the double strand (some of the holes weren't perfectly smooth inside, making the strand catch sometimes). It didnt seem to matter which hole I started with, it still seemed to end up eventually with the square (ie. I was initially concerned about what order to go through the holes as I didnt want to have to go back over the same section on the underside thereby doubling the thickness, but this never seemed to eventuate fortunately). Once I had all four sides of the 'square' laced, finishing by going through the loop at the end of the double strand, I could pull the lacing tight bit by bit, and then put the wood parts in their proper location and finish the tightening and tie it off. Then we laced the central diamond section to tighten the 'square' with a slightly thicker diameter strand. Patience is the key! Thank you all, Suzi S

Many thanks Malcolm, and Eric great images. I've come across Japanese books showing instructions on how to tie boxes and tea caddy's, Japanese armour cords, using the traditional knots so was hoping something similar might have been out there on saddles, but yes, I think you're right that its not going to be on the web. I have another saddle to copy from, but being quite complicated I thought I'd be able to do it more accurately and efficiently with instructions. I'm up for the challenge though! Suzi S

Thank you, I saw this fantastic thread but my question relates to just the four lacquered wood components of the kura being secured together, not the pads or cloths, I might be using the wrong terminology. Apologies for the lack of signature, first post Suzi S

Hi all. I have a mid Edo period lacquered saddle currently in its four parts. I need to assemble it for display, and was wondering if anyone knows of a reference or could copy a relevant page showing how to tie the knots to secure the parts together? I gather its complicated! Here is an image from a similar saddle that has the knot I gather is appropriate and I'd like to replicate. I haven't been able to find more information on it in any books, journals as yet. If there is a simpler securing knot I could use that is authentic I'd be happy with other suggestions. I'd also like to thank you all for such a great forum - I've been doing a lot of research on assembling armour and found a lot of advice here and great images to learn from, to complement the Japanese reference books. I'll post a link to the exhibition I'm preparing for shortly, so if you're in Melbourne, Australia, please come!