Waki1

[Waki 1]

Hello,

I'd be a happy bunny if someone could answer this question. 

When a Yari or Naginata is put into the Shirasaya, should the Koshirae be fitted with a Tsunagi?

It would make sense to me, but I'm not sure if it's a 'given'

 

[raaay]

Hi Gerry , in not shell that would be the normal thing to do with the mounts .

[Waki 1]

Thanks Raaay,

But wouldn't the saya and pole come adrift without a Tsunagi to hold them together?

 

[Geraint]

Dear Gerry.

 

I don't think there is a simple answer but all polearms suffer from the sheer inconvenience of the length of the pole from the point of view of transport and storage.  As a result the blade is often separated from the koshirae, which is a shame.

I have come across three yari fairly recently which come with their saya but not the pole, they now have what I suppose I should call shirasaya poles, much shorter than the originals but sufficient to protect the blades which are in their original saya.  Several of the pole arm blades that I have seen for sale are fitted with shirasaya, sometimes quite elaborate but always with a short pole just sufficient to house the nakago.  I do not recall ever having seen a tsunagi fitted to a yari koshirae but as with everything in this field I am sure they exist.

 

Not directly relevant to your question but I have a fine yari which has been mounted in tanto koshirae and that has both tsunagi and shirasaya.

 

All the best.

[Scogg]

Hypothetically, in a modern scenario; if you were to commission a shirasaya for your Naginata, then you could also request the craftsman make a tsunagi for the koshirae.

 

Shirasaya makers often make tsunagi for the corresponding koshirae, so I see no reason why a yari or naginata would be any different - if that's what you want, and have the funds. 

 

Cheers,
-Sam

[Waki 1]

Thank you to all that have answered so far.

I just assumed that, like Katana and other blades, the tsunagi would be essential for holding the koshirae saya and pole together when the Yari or Naginata was in its shirasaya.

It's obviously not that cut and dried. 

When I get time, I may have a go at making temporary tsunagi for my polearms. 🤔

Thanks again, Graham. 

[jesse]

Just a quick note here.  I own 2 pole swords, one a naginata the other a Jumanji yari, both with shirasaya and koshirae.

The naginata came with a tsunagi but the yari did not.  The yari's koshirae saya covers the top 2" of the pole which keeps it in place during display.

The yari + koshirae is about 11' and the naginata is out 8' tall and both were shipped whole by AOI Japan with no issues.

 

Warm Regards,

Jesse