kaeshizuno and udenuki ana relation in satsuma?

[doomsdaymachine]

hello all. i had recently read on a site http://www.ksky.ne.jp/~sumie99/sageo.html that udenukiana were popular in satsuma for securing the tsuba to kurikata. i have also seen udenukiana in tsuba presented in a satsuma koshirae book as well as on a number of satsuma koshirae.

 

there is also the closed loop higo and satsuma kaeshizuno as well as koshirae with rearward facing kaeshizuno, accidental or intentional. could there be a relationship between the two? i understand the changes in the kaeshizuno as an independent development due to style of use. but could there be a reason for a potential combination in satsuma? tying udenukiana to kaeshizuno.

 

perhaps not but i was curious if there were any opinions.

[uwe]

Hello Reggie,

do you mean "kaerizuno" ? For the present, I found no special reference that udenuki were particularly used in the satsuma region. All I can contribute is, that the use of udenuki decline during the edo-period and the udenuki-ana "mutated" to ornaments on tsuba.

Just my two cents......

Uwe

[uwe]

Well, talked to a more knowledgeable guy today about the subject. He stated that this "system" was indeed still used in the satsuma region during the edo period! Although, there is a controversy to witch purpose?

[Jussi Ekholm]

What I've read in books says that Jigen ryu influenced both udenuki ana and shape of kaerizuno. Satsuma koshirae seem to have unique shaped kaerizuno, which I've read is due to rough and fast draws of Jigen ryu. Also the kurikata is special in Satsuma koshirae. Kaerizuno was shaped like so in Satsuma due to Jigen ryu draws that drew the whole saya out of obi. Udenuki ana were there due to Jigen ryu practice of tying the sword up so it could not be used too hastily and unnecessarily.

[uwe]

Hi Jussi,

yes I`ve heard that the wont of the satsuma guys was a funky fighting and drawing technique :lol:

The question is, was udenuki fastened through the kurigata to prevent the sword accidentally slipping out of the saya, or tying it around the wrist to avoid loosing it in battle (fencing)?

Cheers

Uwe