Wakizashi Koshirae fitting ?

[P34]

I recently bought my first Nihonto. It is a Wakizashi in shirasaya, and I was curious how I would go about fitting a koshirae? 
I assume buying parts won’t really work, would it need to be sent out to have everything made? 
Just curious and trying to learn as much as I can.

 

Thanks

[b.hennick]

One warning for you. If you try the blade in an old saya it may scratch the blade. Getting a koshirae that fits well be difficult. You might consider getting a complete tsuka(handle) that fits and a tsuba and two seppa that go with the tsuka. You can then get a new saya. You can also decide if you want a kozuka and Kogai. The tsuba will need to have ana (holes) for those 

[shakudo]

Hi Patrick, I recently had a wak repolished and had a new shirasaya made. I asked for the old shirasaya back as I know a collector who sent his shirasaya to Japan to be converted to koshirae- just a thought. I also display a katana in shirasaya with a koshirae that does not fit but looks like it does due to similar size and sugata. But as Barry said dont try to fit your blade into an old saya- that will ruin your polish completely! Regards Mike

[Franco D]

3 hours ago, Morelp34 said:

I was curious how I would go about fitting a koshirae? 

 

Brian Tschernega or John Tirado are two artisans more than capable of building a set of koshirae for this sword, if you insist. It will not be inexpensive, take time, and the cost can rise very quickly depending upon the quality of what you're after. Another option for collectors is to simply enjoy their sword in shirasaya, then find and purchase an old original set of koshirae to enjoy separately through dealers, collectors, sword shows, or auctions. Which in the long run may save you time, money, and from the challenges that too often accompany building a set of koshirae. Be aware, which you may already know, that buying/collecting koshirae and fittings involves its own set of disciplines. What you don't know ....

 

Regards,

F

[Grey Doffin]

Hi Patrick,

You can have a completely new koshirae, with newly made parts, or you can buy antique parts and have them fit to a new saya and tsuka. Unless you try to do either of these on the cheap (then what's the point?), either can be quite expensive. This will be an expense that you likely will never recoup. For instance: if your sword in shirasaya is worth $3,000 and you spend $7,000 on the new koshirae, when done you should be able to sell the lot for $6,000. Collectors would rather have original samurai mounts, not something recently put together by a westerner. The task you have chosen is often the wish of a newbie; far less common with the experienced.

But, you say, "I don't plan to sell the sword." Unless you plan to be buried with it, it will be sold, either by you or your family.

As mentioned, a much better solution is to buy an existing koshirae you like to display beside your sword in its shirasaya, which is where your sword is best protected. Orphan koshirae (separated from their blades), even those of good quality, can usually be purchased for less than their parts would be worth if bought piece by piece. The theoretical $3,000 sword above could be paired with a $2,000 koshirae and little or no investment would be lost when the time comes to sell.

One exception to this would be commissioning a koshirae from a well trained and talented artist. Much more expensive but justifiable for esthetic/artistic/what the hell; I can afford it reasons.

Grey