Strange ito wrap on tsuka.

[REY0010]

Has anyone ever heard of a plastic type material on a tsuka? I recently found this picture and something looked off cause the wrap was almost too perfect. Would this be another Chinese technique or is this something that can actually show up on a real nihonto? Thanks a lot

 

-Ryan

[Ganko]

That is an honest old wrap. I have seen it before.

[ggil]

Baleen maybe. Japan just opened back up for whaling again, coincidentally

[Bazza]

I suggest lacquered paper.  I have one, I think.  I'll try a photograph and put it up.

 

BaZZa

[Logan09]

I am going to guess lacquered paper as well. If it was baleen that was naturally black it wouldn't have the light colored rub marks. I really don't think a Tsuka wrapped in baleen would have a piece of Samegawa pieced in either(above mekugi)

 

Edit, here's a photo I found online of a paper one that looks slightly similar.

[REY0010]

Thanks a lot guys that’s super interesting! I googled it and I feel like it could be either baleen or the lacquered paper. I’m so use to seeing cotton, silk, and leather, I thought for sure it was a fake thing. Learn something new every day.

[Dave R]

 I have a tsuka with hemp ito, and that is lacquered as well. It's usually done to weather proof the tsuka.

[16k]

My Sengo is like that. I think I read somewhere these sort of wrappings are made of rattan.

[vajo]

Beautifull!!

Looks great JP.

[16k]

Thanks Chris,

 

Yes, I think this is my crown jewel so far!

 

As for the thread talking about baleen, wisteria and rattan, here it is:

 

http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/4494-baleen-whale-wrapping-of-tsuka/