Correct Kozuka length

[Alex A]

Something i have never really thought about, you just get an idea in your head of what roughly is right. Looking online and in books, most Kozuka appear to protrude through the ana by about 3mm on average. 

 

Made a cardboard mock-up of one that has the correct width but appears a little short (considering buying), see image.

 

The thing is, just read online that Kozuka are not supposed to stick out so much through the ana, they are only supposed to slide out through the ana  

 

Not sure if that's correct, as most i see stand above the tsuba.  Noticed there is variation in length of Kozuka.

[peterd]

Sorry I don't know the answer. I have six sets of koshirae with kozuka and all are as you thought between two or three mm proud of tsuba.

[Alex A]

Thanks Peter,

 

Wow, the silence is deafening on this one, so to speak

 

Noticed off top of head 6mm differences in length of some kozuka, perhaps there is more difference out there

 

Maybe I'm being too pedantic

 

 

[Ford Hallam]

In fact of all the tosogu the kozuka is generally the most uniform in terms of dimensions. 

 

About 30 years ago, when I first seriously started making fittings, I compiled a set of measurements for about 100 kozuka and established the most common range of values. I did the same with fuchi kashira too, 'cos I'm a bit exacting like that . To simplify matters in terms of practical workshop requirements I disregarded any items that were unusually large or small. I'll dig out my notebooks and post my findings when I get a chance.

 

These images might help.

 

[Alex A]

Thanks very much Ford, appreciated.

 

Judging by your images, appears the one I'm looking at will be an acceptable match.

 

Can be tricky finding good matches, as the old saying goes "measure twice, cut once"

 

Glad that's cleared up.

 

Cheers!