Steffieeee Posted January 5, 2020 Report Posted January 5, 2020 Hi just a question about wrappings. Were colours, styles of wrap material etc. dictated just by fashion, and preference? or any particular reason for the different styles of wrap etc. Obviously the battle wrap had a practical application 1 Quote
Ken-Hawaii Posted January 5, 2020 Report Posted January 5, 2020 I'm far from being an expert, but common sense says that swords that were used for battle had fairly-basic tsukamaki. Post-sengoku, when blades got flashy to sell in non-wartime, I'd expect that wrappings, tsuba, & everything else were more fashion-driven. Quote
IanB Posted January 5, 2020 Report Posted January 5, 2020 Many years ago there was circulated a sheet of different wraps that a traditional tsukamakishi family published showing about 8 -10 wraps. One was described as 'senior samurai of the Shonai Han' another as 'lower class samurai of the Shonai Han'. This suggests some groups did have their own identifiable styles. I have a katana done two colours, buff and black, and I have seen other swords in this two colour combination. So I think the answer is at least a partial yes. Ian Bottomley 2 Quote
SAS Posted January 6, 2020 Report Posted January 6, 2020 I believe Higo had a similar arrangement, and some koshirae were specified for appearance in the Shogun's court. 1 Quote
IanB Posted January 6, 2020 Report Posted January 6, 2020 SAS, Yes, the swords for the Shogunal court had to be mounted in shakudo with absolutely plain shakudo tsuba and a horn kashira. I have a hilt with the fuchi in shakudo nanako, with mon also in shakudo and the obligatory horn kashira. I have a feeling I have the tsuba tucked away somewhere as well. The whole idea seems to have been not to present anything flashy when crawling towards the Shogun on one's knees. Ian Bottomley 5 Quote
Tigerinbamboo Posted January 6, 2020 Report Posted January 6, 2020 Ian, wouldn't one have checked one's sword at the door when visiting the shogun? ???? Cheers, 1 Quote
SAS Posted January 6, 2020 Report Posted January 6, 2020 Tanto and wakizashi were retained as far as i know, only long swords were checked at the door... 3 Quote
IanB Posted January 7, 2020 Report Posted January 7, 2020 As SAS says ( this use of cryptic identifiers drives me crazy - if you were talking to me face to face I hope you wouldn't hide your head in a bucket) the wakizashi would be worn and even that would be limited in size. In the 1680's the Tokugawa decreed the maximum length should be about 15". Bald head the Unworthy. 3 Quote
SAS Posted January 7, 2020 Report Posted January 7, 2020 Dear BHU, my name is in my signature line, SAS are my initials.....Steve the Bald 3 Quote
Steffieeee Posted January 8, 2020 Author Report Posted January 8, 2020 Is there any online guide for tsuka shino or musubidama maki style? They both have a knot at the center I think unless I have the names wrong. Quote
IanB Posted January 8, 2020 Report Posted January 8, 2020 I'm afraid my computer only shows location. Ian Bottomley Quote
SAS Posted January 9, 2020 Report Posted January 9, 2020 Dear Ian, SAS stands for Steven Arthur Shimanek.....aka Steve the Bald.....Buckethead is a talented guitarist; me, i try, but not close Steffiieee, there is a book on tsukamaki that explains numerous styles that would be good to have and may answer some questions; it is early here and i am not awake yet, but i think Buck is the author's last name. Quote
EdWolf Posted January 9, 2020 Report Posted January 9, 2020 You can find more information here: http://www.tsukamaki.net/ 1 Quote
Rich S Posted January 9, 2020 Report Posted January 9, 2020 David McDonald in Mt. does nice tsukamaki. I don't recall what all he has on his site. http://www.montanairon.com/swords.html Rich Quote
Steffieeee Posted January 10, 2020 Author Report Posted January 10, 2020 More interested in trying it myself, tricky but like anything gets easier with practise. Quote
Rich S Posted January 10, 2020 Report Posted January 10, 2020 First you need to make a tsukamaki tying jig to hold the tsuka while you do the wrap. Very hard (I think) on the fingers. I did the same very, very brief course with Master Ichinose that David did at the 68(?) Token Tai Kai in Chicago. I've tied a few tsuka for my own swords a long time ago; I was please with the results although a pro would find them amaturish. It is fairly difficult getting started, but after doing a couple it gets easier. The finishing top knot/tie-off is what I found the most difficult. There are several instructional pages/sites on the net but I'm sure you will run into problems your first couple attempts - good luck and best wishes for good results. Rich 1 Quote
Jussi Ekholm Posted January 10, 2020 Report Posted January 10, 2020 The Tsukamaki book by Thomas Buck has many styles and instructions to do them. It is very nice book and I'd recommend getting one if you are interested. I sold mine a while ago but it was nice to have it. I believe these are the tsukamaki style sheets that Ian mentioned earlier. TsukamakiStyles Part1.pdf TsukamakiStyles Part2.pdf 1 Quote
Steffieeee Posted January 10, 2020 Author Report Posted January 10, 2020 Thanks v much Jussi and Rick. Yes I've been having a few goes, I think having a jig would make things significantly easier! Quote
IanB Posted January 10, 2020 Report Posted January 10, 2020 Jussi, Yes they are the ones. Useful to have on record. Ian Bottomley Quote
SAS Posted January 10, 2020 Report Posted January 10, 2020 Small clamps are useful to help maintain tension, also. Quote
Geraint Posted January 13, 2020 Report Posted January 13, 2020 Dear Steff. If you are trying this then you definitely need this book that Jussi recommended, https://www.amazon.co.uk/Art-Tsukamaki-Pocket-Thomas-Buck/dp/1505226147/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=The+art+of+Tsukamaki&qid=1578928345&sr=8-1 Lots of really useful practical advice and clear diagrams. The author is the person who runs the website that Ed suggested. Look forward to seeing some of your work. All the best. Quote
Steffieeee Posted January 13, 2020 Author Report Posted January 13, 2020 Just arrived today funnily enough ty Quote
Steffieeee Posted January 19, 2020 Author Report Posted January 19, 2020 Ok. I admit defeat temporarily. Is there anyone in the UK who can do the musubitama wrap style? It has a central knot in the crossover part. It's not a style which is shown in the buck book.or yurimaki. Which is a more hexagonal than diamond inner shape Quote
Geraint Posted January 21, 2020 Report Posted January 21, 2020 Dear Steff. You can sure pick 'em! Managed to find one image, (In Markus Sesko, Encyclopedia of Japanese Swords), and did a mock up of the knot to show how it works. It is not something I have ever seen. What makes you so keen to try this wrap? Hope this helps. All the best. Quote
Steffieeee Posted January 21, 2020 Author Report Posted January 21, 2020 oh nice thanks very much Geraint. I think it looks awesome, and I think it would totally go with the sword I,m trying. generally I seem to make life difficult for myself by wanting something other than easy options. I,m surprised there aren't more people who do this stuff tbh Quote
FodoorG Posted February 12, 2020 Report Posted February 12, 2020 Dear Members, good Morning, I am Gábor Fodor from Czech Republic. I would like to ask you about this type of tsukamaki. I would like to learn how to do it but I didn't find any information about it. Thanks in advence, my best wishes for you all! GF Quote
Ken-Hawaii Posted March 11, 2020 Report Posted March 11, 2020 Welcome to NMB, Gábor. Please introduce yourself in http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/27284-new-member-introductions/ so we know what interests you. And you can set up your signature in your Profile, too. Quote
Steffieeee Posted March 11, 2020 Author Report Posted March 11, 2020 Can anyone give me information about this kind of hilt. Looks to be leather binding, the mounts are iron with dragonflies, and gold menuki, have no idea what they are supposed to represent. Is this a regional hilt style? Quote
Geraint Posted March 11, 2020 Report Posted March 11, 2020 Hi Steff. I really like this one! According to the first pdf that Jussi supplied above this is kawahosomaki byotsuka I think. What ever it is I love it. Menuki maybe sea shells? All the best. Quote
Steffieeee Posted March 11, 2020 Author Report Posted March 11, 2020 Thanks for spotting that geraint, it was there all the time!... That's certainly a mouthful... Any idea what Akita, satake means?, it's written underneath that hilt style, are they regions? Some googling later, yes satake is in Akita province, right up in the North... Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.