Traditional Tsuka Ito Colors

[Justin Grant]

Newbie question, but I just aquired my first katana, and it is an older sword redone in the modern era in para-military style. I would like to put it back to 18th century look. What tsuka colors are typical of the 18th century? Also, tsuba advise would also be appreciated.

 

Thanks,

 

 

Justin

[Henry Wilson]

Tsukamaki

 

It is not historically proven, but traditional Kabuki and Chambarra (period movies) indicate the rank of a samurai by the color of the tsukamaki: black - blue - dark brown - light brown - gray - purple - white. However, since this approximates roughly the percentage of colors found on swords, it might be about right.

 

tsuka maki

 

The most common wrapping method is "Tsumamimaki", the ito "pinched" at the crossing, followed by "Hinerimaki", where the ito was folded over twice at a 90 degree angle at the crossing. Tachi were usually done in "Hiramaki", the ito simply crossed over.

 

This is from the following article:

http://home.earthlink.net/~steinrl/kosh ... shirae.htm

 

The 18th century (end of Edo period) saw lots of different styles of koshirae being worn by all sorts of people. My advice would be to have a look at as many different styles of koshirae you can find over a prolonged period of time and whatever style tickles your fancy, go for that. The bibliography at the end of the article gives you good reference sources to start with.

 

Also Aoi Art has a few swords in koshirae of various levels of quality photoed and available to view as well if you are looking for inspiration.

http://www.aoi-art.com/

 

For me I would go for a Tensho style or Higo style koshirae, both having nice and pleasing traits in themselves.

[Mark]

Grey Doffin had some nice old tsuba listed for sale at reasonable prices, you might check out his posting under the "for sale" section, the title of the post was 12 Tsuba

[Justin Grant]

I am leaning towards maroon and or deep green. Is this an issue? Don't want to be out of style if you will.

[Aloof Pegasus]

Justin

 

Speaking as a beginner much like yourself I would suggest checking all the links on this site and having a look at the ito colours on those swords.

 

The idea that belt colours in the martial arts might be a distant echo of an ito grading system sidetracked your thread, sorry for that.

 

Philip

[sanjuro]

Justin.

 

The mounting of a sword is a very personal thing. Now, just as it was for each individual samurai of the period. It boils down to what you think of the mounting it deserves. The correct mounting will present itself if you look at enough well mounted examples. let the sword itself suggest the correct style. Blade style, period etc. (Higo is good though).

 

Regards :D

[leo]

Hi Justin,

 

do not worry too much about color codes. The color design of koshirae always varied with the fashion of time and the taste of the owner. Like always there were practical as well as monetary reasons to choose the ito. A lighter colored material had to be replaced more often than a darker one and there were "business" koshirae as well as "parade" koshirae for the same blade.

The only formal restriction I found, which was edicted in the 17th century by the Tokugawa shogunate, was in an article by Guido Schiller "A brief History of the Development of the Koshirae":

 

"......Samurai at the castle in Edo wore the Banzashi daisho, "duty attire". "Same" had to be white, the saya black lacquered and with horn fittings. The kojiri of the katana was flat, and that of the wakizashi rounded. The kashira had to be horn, with the black tsukamaki crossed over it (kakemaki). The fuchi and midokoromono ("things of the three places": menuki, kogai and kozuka) had to be shakudo-nanako (fish-roe pattern) with the only decoration being the family mon (crest). The tsuba was polished shakudo without any decoration. However, this was not always strictly enforced, and kanagu with shishi (lion dogs), dragons or floral motifs were tolerated...."

 

This "black on black" design was rather locally enforced, though. Personally I like the simple elegant combination of a shiny black laquer saya(roiro) and a black silk tsukaito on white same best.

Whatever color you choose, make sure that the execution of the restoration is faultless! A badly wrapped tsuka will make the whole sword look bad!

 

Good luck,

Martin

[Ford Hallam]

Would whoever deleted my post please explain to me why it was considered necessary to censor it.

[Brian]

Ford,

In your case, with every post, you should be rather asking why it wasn't deleted, you upstart you. :lol:

No conspiracy, we mods just decided to rather remove the whole "white belt, black belt, karate" debate. And hence all replies to it had to go.

Just for you Ford..here is the post, back from the dead (but without the preceeding and following debates)

In traditional, Japanese classical ryu ( the warrior arts in this case) there are no coloured belts nor black or white belts as such. This idea was introduced to karate by a Confucian school teacher from Okinawa and karate has nothing to do with the Samurai. Karate is is folk/peasant art, not something the bushi would have anything to do with.

I do NOT want to get back into the karate debate though, or the issue of belt colours.

 

Brian

[Grey Doffin]

Another approach to tsuka-ito color choice is to find someone who can do a great job of wrapping and ask him what he would recommend. He will have had tons of experience; should have good advice to offer.

Grey

[Henry Wilson]

Two nice Higo koshirae

 

http://www.nihonto.com/fwhigo.html

 

http://www.yamabushiantiques.com/KOSHIRAE16.htm

 

Leather hide wrapping would be what I would be looking at.

[Ford Hallam]

Cheers Brian,

 

no idea what you mean ...as if I'd ever stoop to stirring controversy

 

Seriously though, my point was merely to state emphatically, that karate has nothing whatsoever to do with Nihonto, bushido or Edo period Japan. No controversy, no debate....no argument...OK!

[Jean]

that karate has nothing whatsoever to do with Nihonto

Fully Agreed considering its accepted meaning :lol: :lol: