Funny Problem !?

[goose710]

Gentlemen

I have a very large sword I bought from AOI Art Sword , that is giving me issues.

The sword is wonderful , it's in shirasaya , and there lies the problem.

The sword is 33.5" long 

 forged by   higo kuni yatsuhiro ju akamatsu it's a big one!

Ok , now for the problem, the shirisaya is so tight  I can't close it ! didn't always be that way , I open to oil about 5/6 months, it's gotten progressively tighter  I now can't close but a 1/4 inch of the habaki.  I feel resistance at 6" of blade exposed.  I don't see any "rubbing" on the blade itself from coming in contact with the wood.

Is the shirasaya WARPING? 

Has anyone else experienced this ? All my swords are in the same area , so room "weather" shouldn't effect one more than another?

What if any remedies can be recommended, I've thought to have the shirasaya opened and re worked to fit better (but it's a high quality unit  from Japan)

Charles L. Grusovnik

Further pics if requested

[Jean]

I have the same problem with two of my swords, even three. I think it is due to Central heating. I live them alone.

[Brian]

Climate/humidity/seasons/temperature/altitude all affect the fit of the shirasaya. Coming from Japan, it will change with the seasons and I know some say they have never experienced this...but I have my own swords here that are hard to sheath in certain seasons, and loose in others.

[Stephen]

Id get one of them rods one puts in gun casess to reduce rusting, place in yours and the sword to change humidity, then if that works one for the room? Humidifier that is. Is that man cave in basement? or upper floor? BTW damn nice sword!!

[goose710]

Thank You Gentlemen for your rapid replies.

The "Man Cave " in below grade. With a wood stove at the opposite end of the 18' room.

I did note , the heating vent(hot air) above the sword rack !

weird how stuff like that isn't seen .

I will leave the saya alone for a time and check it from time to time .

Thanks

Charles L. Grusovnik

[seattle1]

Hello:

 Beautiful sword! I note that it seems to go in tsuka just fine. A number of things could be at play, the cargo hold of the plane can really shrink them and that last a while, perhaps the wood had not been fully aged, if oil soaked the interior of the saya it might expand and that would not have effected the tsuka. I would leave it alone until spring and if it persists get someone like John Tirado to professionally open the saya up and make needed adjustments. He is very skilled. By all means don't push it against resistance.

 Good luck.

 Arnold F.

[Stephen]

acclimate acclimate acclimate, remember a Tampa show where that Tin salesman, now decided, all the swords he had bought in SS  would not go in all the way the wood needs to go back to org humidity conditions. That vent may be in PLAY!

[nagamaki - Franco]

Hello,

 

Confirm, it's a change in atmospheric conditions. An annual/seasonal event. Two years ago we went from warm upper 60's to below freezing and snow overnight. Needless to say I didn't see my sword again until spring, but was unconcerned as there was nothing getting in or out of that saya. Snug as bug.

 

Don't force anything in or out. Normally, whenever the humidity begins changing you must pay attention and adjust how fully or partially the habaki is seated into the saya.

[SAS]

Dry air shrinks wood, humid air swells it. Mid 50s is supposed to be ideal if I recall correctly.

[Dave R]

Do you keep your shirasaya in a bag?

[goose710]

Dave

No.

 

Nagamaki

I've seated the habaki only 1/4 in.

 

You guys are great! 

Thanks for all the advice

will keep a close eye on the unit.

maybe block that vent first , it's closed but of course it

bleeds through when the heat runs.

 

Charles

[Dave R]

Traditionally shirisaya and koshirae are kept in bags. Shirisaya in cotton and koshirae in silk, this might help stabilise your shirisaya.  

[ROKUJURO]

Dave

SHIRASAYA!

[PNSSHOGUN]

Could be time to get the shirasaya split and adjusted accordingly if it doesn't even out as season changes.