By lyuesword | 28 January 2021 | 0 Comments
The Japanese Shirasaya Sword 1
The Japanese Shirasaya is a special sword mounting that was used by the Samurai to store a blade that is not in use, its elegancy and simplicity made it one of the most sought after Japanese swords collectors are after.
What is a Shirasaya?
In order to explain what is a Shirasaya, its main functions and history, let’s go back in time to the warring period of Japan, where variety of swords were used by the Samurai warriors on the battlefield.
Most of the swords were using a Koshirae mounting which included a handguard (Tsuba), fittings, Ito wrap and rayskin Samegawa, each had its own importance for making the sword fully functional and battle ready.
The term Shirasaya generally translates to white scabbard. Unlike the Koshirae, The Shirasaya mounting uses plain wooden mount for the blade that commonly consists of a Tsuka (handle) and a Saya (Scabbard).
The Shirasaya was commonly made from Hinoki wood. The Shirasaya sword mounting is for a blade that won’t be utilized for quite some time, it provides the blade a proper storing and safekeeping.
The Shirasaya’s History
The history of the shirasaya is not that old, since it was believed to be produced during the Edo period (1603-1868 A.D).
This was the time when numerous rules were imposed restricting the use and carrying of swords in public.
The upper-class samurai owned a variety of swords; due to this new regulations, a lot of people looked for a way to store their blade while it is not in use, and that was when the Shirasaya has been utilized to keep, protect, and safeguard their most precious swords.
Characteristics of the Shirasaya
The shirasaya handle was designed to be plain and simple. Normally It only featured a single mekugi however sometime two, depending on the blade itself.
Without a tsuba, ito, and other kinds of fittings, the Shirasaya is not considered suitable for battle or for test cutting.
The shirasaya featured a saya that was often crafted from the same material as its tsuka and therefore sometime looked like a simple wood, some even used a similar color mekugi to completely conceal the sword.
The Shirasaya was a vital piece for every warrior, especially when they needed to keep their swords for a certain period of time.
It provided increased protection for the blade since its construction was designed specifically for proper storage, providing excellent sealing properties even without a Tsuba or Seppa.
Honoki For The Shirasaya
Honoki is the type of traditional Japanese wood used for making tsuka and saya. Since this wood belongs to the magnolia family, it is considered as a hardwood.
There are a few reasons why Japanese craftsmen opted for the honoki as the ideal wood for a saya. First, it doesn't contain acid or resin which can cause oxidation of the blade. Second, it was easy to carve and file this into shape. Third, the type of material also does not easily scratch blades. Most importantly, it was a stable and water-resistant type of wood. Even when exposed to humidity, the honoki does not warp overtime.
Want a unique sword? Feel free to contact us:
Email: lyuesword@hotmail.com
Website: www.lyuesword.com
Custom Sword Page: www.lyuesword.com/Custom-Sword/customization-options/Create-Your-Own-Swords
What is a Shirasaya?
In order to explain what is a Shirasaya, its main functions and history, let’s go back in time to the warring period of Japan, where variety of swords were used by the Samurai warriors on the battlefield.
Most of the swords were using a Koshirae mounting which included a handguard (Tsuba), fittings, Ito wrap and rayskin Samegawa, each had its own importance for making the sword fully functional and battle ready.
The term Shirasaya generally translates to white scabbard. Unlike the Koshirae, The Shirasaya mounting uses plain wooden mount for the blade that commonly consists of a Tsuka (handle) and a Saya (Scabbard).
The Shirasaya was commonly made from Hinoki wood. The Shirasaya sword mounting is for a blade that won’t be utilized for quite some time, it provides the blade a proper storing and safekeeping.
The Shirasaya’s History
The history of the shirasaya is not that old, since it was believed to be produced during the Edo period (1603-1868 A.D).
This was the time when numerous rules were imposed restricting the use and carrying of swords in public.
The upper-class samurai owned a variety of swords; due to this new regulations, a lot of people looked for a way to store their blade while it is not in use, and that was when the Shirasaya has been utilized to keep, protect, and safeguard their most precious swords.
Characteristics of the Shirasaya
The shirasaya handle was designed to be plain and simple. Normally It only featured a single mekugi however sometime two, depending on the blade itself.
Without a tsuba, ito, and other kinds of fittings, the Shirasaya is not considered suitable for battle or for test cutting.
The shirasaya featured a saya that was often crafted from the same material as its tsuka and therefore sometime looked like a simple wood, some even used a similar color mekugi to completely conceal the sword.
The Shirasaya was a vital piece for every warrior, especially when they needed to keep their swords for a certain period of time.
It provided increased protection for the blade since its construction was designed specifically for proper storage, providing excellent sealing properties even without a Tsuba or Seppa.
Honoki For The Shirasaya
Honoki is the type of traditional Japanese wood used for making tsuka and saya. Since this wood belongs to the magnolia family, it is considered as a hardwood.
There are a few reasons why Japanese craftsmen opted for the honoki as the ideal wood for a saya. First, it doesn't contain acid or resin which can cause oxidation of the blade. Second, it was easy to carve and file this into shape. Third, the type of material also does not easily scratch blades. Most importantly, it was a stable and water-resistant type of wood. Even when exposed to humidity, the honoki does not warp overtime.
Want a unique sword? Feel free to contact us:
Email: lyuesword@hotmail.com
Website: www.lyuesword.com
Custom Sword Page: www.lyuesword.com/Custom-Sword/customization-options/Create-Your-Own-Swords
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