Saya Beginner's Question

[EdWolf]

Just a beginner’s question. I have a wakizashi and the saya has an unusual addon. It’s positioned approximately 15 cm above the kojiri (1/3 of the total length of the saya). I think it’s used for securing the saya. What is the Japanese name and the purpose of it? Thanks in advance.

Best Regards,

Ed

[Geraint]

Dear Ed,

 

Soritsuno is the name you are looking for, the purpose you already know.  They usually indicate a bit of extra care and attention, Can we see the rest of the sword, please?

 

All the best.

[EdWolf]

Hi Geraint,

Thank you very much!

I only have a few pictures of this sword. Most pictures I had taken were terrible. The weather in the Netherlands is bad. No sunlight so I had to use a flash. Almost impossible to take a picture of the blade.

Best regards,

Ed

 

[Dr Fox]

Hi Ed

 

Further to the kashezuno,

When the right hand is occupied with the katana.

The short sword when thrust through the obi, would be drawn with the left hand on the tsuka.

Although the wakizashi would be attached by sageo, there could be enough 'give' to not allow the blade to be drawn.

The kashezuno, would anchor under the obi and arrest the saya.

That resistance will allow the blade to break out.

[ROKUJURO]

It is also called
 

• Kaeshizuno (返し角) - a hook shaped fitting (part made usually from horn) used to lock the saya to the obi while drawing.  (WIKIPEDIA)

[EdWolf]

Hi Denis and Jean,

 

Thanks for the explanation!

 

Is it save to say that the kashezuno/kaeshizuni or soritsuno only makes sense when both swords (katana and wakizashi) were worn?

 

Regards,

Ed

[ROKUJURO]

Ed, 

the KAESHIZUNO  返し角  is needed when both swords are being drawn for a fight. The SAGEO secures the SAYA of the second sword (in most cases this will be the WAKIZASHI) to the OBI so the blade can be drawn one-handedly.

[EdWolf]

Jean, thanks for clarifying!

Best regards,

Ed

[Ken-Hawaii]

It does help to know how both blades were used in fighting, Ed, & it really wasn't until I started training in iaijutsu after many years of iaido that it suddenly became obvious how simple the Japanese had made things!

 

Ken

[EdWolf]

Hi Ken,

 

I’m not the kind of warrior type of guy. Not even a keyboard warrior

Simplicity if the key to success. I will try to find some videos about iaijutsu. Sounds interesting.

Best regards,

Ed

[EdWolf]

Hi to all,

The Kogai Bitsu and Kozuka Bitsu are on the inside decorated with some markings. Does anyone know the meaning of it or is it just some kind decoration? Does anyone have pictures of similar markings? I have never seen it before.

Best regards,

Ed

[Brian]

Oy vey...Christian Samurai hidden symbols again?
Oddly, they are reminiscent of that. Hmmmm

[EdWolf]

Hi Brian,

Christian symbols, if have never thought of that. That would be odd. Maybe anyone else?

Regards,

Ed

[PNSSHOGUN]

I think "Kirishitan" is a good guess! Perhaps this koshirae was made well after 1630's.... (last major Christian crackdown by Shogunate).

[Guido]

The Kogai Bitsu and Kozuka Bitsu are on the inside decorated with some markings. Does anyone know the meaning of it or is it just some kind decoration?

 

The inserts are made of the same stenciled deer leather (egawa 絵革) that was used for the trimming of armor. This particular pattern is called yokoshōbu 横菖蒲 and depicts stylized irises.

[Guido]

And btw, that retention hook is usually only called kaeri 返り, but also kaeritsuno 返り角 or kaeshitsuno 返し角 if made of horn.

[Henry Wilson]

A design also found on modern kendo bags for some reason.  I recall something somewhere that illustrates the design on a fuchi. Maybe by Fred Geyer in a KTK catalog? I am at work so cannot check my bibliothèque.

 

 

 

[Guido]

If you do a Gogle picture search for 菖蒲革 shōbugawa, it shows many examples of those iris patterns - and none lead to any Christian symbolism, hidden or otherwise: https://www.google.de/search?biw=1760&bih=908&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=F6gwWs6AIsKr0ASL6r3wBg&q=%E8%8F%96%E8%92%B2%E9%9D%A9&oq=%E8%8F%96%E8%92%B2%E9%9D%A9&gs_l=psy-ab.12..0.61060.64858.0.67914.4.4.0.0.0.0.233.519.2j1j1.4.0....0...1c.1j2.64.psy-ab..0.1.232....0.brp42DrxIEY

 

The iris is often seen as a decoration on Japanese items because its leaves look like sword blades; this plant is even called "Schwertlilie" in German, i.e. "sword lily".

[Henry Wilson]

Very interesting Guido.  Thank you for the link and information.  

I have never been able to get a satisfactory explanation for that pattern until now.

 

Where do you get all your knowledge from?   

[EdWolf]

Hi Guido and Henry,

Thanks for all the information. I find this very interesting.

Best regards, Ed

[Guido]

Where do you get all your knowledge from?   

 

It's just a matter of prioritising things in life. The downside is that I'm hardly able to tie my shoelaces anymore ....

[Jean]

I have solved this issue Guido, I only have Bowen loafers . The leather is very souple and it’s like having slippers. I have given up Tricker’s due to my toes, leather is too rigid

[Stephen]

the bogu bag design would make exlant wall paper