Lyuesword's Blog
Customize your own swords on lyuesword.com
By lyuesword | 23 April 2021 | 1 Comments

THE CRAFTSMEN RESPONSIBLE FOR THE JAPANESE SWORD Ⅳ

Habaki Shi
When it comes to this craftsman, he can also be the Tosogu Shi, yet it is a different profession. He’s responsible for the Habaki of a sword. This locks the Saya over the sword’s blade and works as a stopper for its Tsuba.

The Habaki consists of softer metals like brass, copper, or other copper-based alloys. Silver or gold Habaki are scarcer but is not considered rare.

A rectangular metal sheet wraps around the Nakago and soldered with a metal and silver wedge. A sword blade has customized Habaki.

Using the Tosogu method, the Habaki can be patinated and decorated. Yet the inlays techniques are usually left out. This is because the Habaki functions in holding the Saya.



Nuri Shi
The Nuri Shi works as the lacquerer. The tradition of Japanese lacquer’s found in a lot of objects like boxes, plates, and more. They use Urushi lacquer which is a kind of resin based on lacquer or a lacquer tree sap. Urushi is generally poisonous, thus, causes allergic reactions.

Urushi Nuri – Urushi Lacquering
This is an intricate process since it requires up to 40 steps with 10 to 14 layers of Urushi lacquer.

The Saya of a Nihonto should be light, tough, water and scratch resistant. And when using Urushi lacquer, it can withstand decades of use. Even after centuries, some pieces made with this are still in top condition.

There are hundreds of different types of lacquering styles. These are stone-like structures, mother of pearl or egg shell inlays, and high-gloss finish. Other natural materials used provide the lacquer work a unique style.

By utilizing pigments, the Nuri Shi can create the perfect color that he needs for the process. The Maki-E, or Urushi art work, even utilizes silver and gold leaf and powder, pine needles, and beetle wings. This is to categorize the Saya of a Nihonto as a true work of art.


Final Thoughts
All these Japanese craftsmen are irreplaceable in the creation of the Katana sword. They contribute to the beauty and charm of all these pieces throughout history.

With each craft having more than a thousand years of history, it’s impossible to master every one of them. Japanese sword tradition grasps onto this principle – “Jack of all Trades, Master of No One”. A person can only achieve near perfect results with continuous years of dedication.

All in all, a lot of labor goes into the creation of one sword. The cost of this collective work is astonishing.



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 

Recently Reviews

Read More

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.Required fields are marked. *
Name
E-mail
Content
Verification code