By lyuesword | 02 February 2021 | 0 Comments
The Japanese Shirasaya Sword Mounting 2
Different Shirasaya Sword Mounting
Since the samurai had several swords with them, the use of Shirasaya was not restricted to any size of swords, and one can find most commonly a Shirasaya in Katana, Wakizashi and Tanto sizes.
The wooden Shirasaya was vital to keep the blades of the Samurai weapons protected. It was also a way to prevent any damages from occurring.
The shirasaya was tight-fitting. It was necessary to prevent moisture and others from entering.
When Samurai required their swords for battle, they would place the blades in elaborately styled koshirae which was definitely more adequate for battle.
At some point, the use of the Shirasaya declined, yet at the arrival of the 21st century, the piece began to make a comeback as a more stylized and decorative sword.
Construction of the Shirasaya
The classic Shirasaya were traditionally made using honoki or magnolia wood. These are specific types of wood that are largely found in Japan.
This sword mounting can be compared to a pair of protective gear since this conceals and safeguards the sword and its blade.
When not in transit or being carried in public, the Japanese blades were kept securely in their Shirasaya.
The classic Nihonto required two sets of sword mountings. The Shirasaya was necessary for prolonged storage when the blade would not be utilized, and a koshirae for when the blade would be carried into battle.
Its exterior is kept simple and clean, leaving it without any ornaments or decorations. However, some antique Shirasaya had the presence of texts that characterize the type of blade kept within the saya where evident.
A Beauty Without Fittings
When looking at the exterior of the shirasaya, it looks very simple and elegant piece. There is no presence of a Tsuba and its tsuka does not feature any kind of ito compared to battle-ready and functional sword mounting.
This is the reason why the shirasaya is considered to be impractical for battle. If used for fighting, the individual wielding the Shirasaya will not have any form of hand protection, thus, can be extremely dangerous.
Another reason that the Shirasaya is impractical and considered dangerous for battle or test cutting is due to its wooden handle, which can become slippery and cause and the wielder to lose his grip.
In Koshirae mounting the Rayskin samegawa and ito wrap plays a vital role in preventing the hands from slipping, it offer a firm grip even if the handle was soaked in blood.
Shirasaya VS Shikomizue
The shirasaya is often compared to the shikomizue – a concealed sword that is disguised as a walking stick or cane.
This specific piece is quite similar to a sword stick. However, there are obvious differences between the two:
While the shirasaya is mainly used to protect the sword’s blade, the shikomizue is designed to conceal the blade.
The Shukiomizue was specifically crafted to appear just like a cane or walking stick. Its mounting can be used to hide other weapons such as hooks, chains, and even smoke bombs.
An Aesthetic Display Piece
Today, the Japanese Shirasaya can be used as an excellent traditional display piece. You can choose the Tsuka and Saya wood color to match with your other interior where you wish to display it.
We highly recommend your Shirasaya to have buffalo horn fittings, which help keep the saya mounth and end from splintering. These quality fitting are all present in a quality samurai sword.
The Shirasaya is also well suited for collectors who plan to complete their sets of samurai swords by adding this elegant sword mount to their growing collection, many have found it to be their most beloved piece.
In this day and age, a large number of Japanese homes make use of the Shirasaya as a display piece to further enhance the beauty of their homes.
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
Since the samurai had several swords with them, the use of Shirasaya was not restricted to any size of swords, and one can find most commonly a Shirasaya in Katana, Wakizashi and Tanto sizes.
The wooden Shirasaya was vital to keep the blades of the Samurai weapons protected. It was also a way to prevent any damages from occurring.
The shirasaya was tight-fitting. It was necessary to prevent moisture and others from entering.
When Samurai required their swords for battle, they would place the blades in elaborately styled koshirae which was definitely more adequate for battle.
At some point, the use of the Shirasaya declined, yet at the arrival of the 21st century, the piece began to make a comeback as a more stylized and decorative sword.
Construction of the Shirasaya
The classic Shirasaya were traditionally made using honoki or magnolia wood. These are specific types of wood that are largely found in Japan.
This sword mounting can be compared to a pair of protective gear since this conceals and safeguards the sword and its blade.
When not in transit or being carried in public, the Japanese blades were kept securely in their Shirasaya.
The classic Nihonto required two sets of sword mountings. The Shirasaya was necessary for prolonged storage when the blade would not be utilized, and a koshirae for when the blade would be carried into battle.
Its exterior is kept simple and clean, leaving it without any ornaments or decorations. However, some antique Shirasaya had the presence of texts that characterize the type of blade kept within the saya where evident.
A Beauty Without Fittings
When looking at the exterior of the shirasaya, it looks very simple and elegant piece. There is no presence of a Tsuba and its tsuka does not feature any kind of ito compared to battle-ready and functional sword mounting.
This is the reason why the shirasaya is considered to be impractical for battle. If used for fighting, the individual wielding the Shirasaya will not have any form of hand protection, thus, can be extremely dangerous.
Another reason that the Shirasaya is impractical and considered dangerous for battle or test cutting is due to its wooden handle, which can become slippery and cause and the wielder to lose his grip.
In Koshirae mounting the Rayskin samegawa and ito wrap plays a vital role in preventing the hands from slipping, it offer a firm grip even if the handle was soaked in blood.
Shirasaya VS Shikomizue
The shirasaya is often compared to the shikomizue – a concealed sword that is disguised as a walking stick or cane.
This specific piece is quite similar to a sword stick. However, there are obvious differences between the two:
While the shirasaya is mainly used to protect the sword’s blade, the shikomizue is designed to conceal the blade.
The Shukiomizue was specifically crafted to appear just like a cane or walking stick. Its mounting can be used to hide other weapons such as hooks, chains, and even smoke bombs.
An Aesthetic Display Piece
Today, the Japanese Shirasaya can be used as an excellent traditional display piece. You can choose the Tsuka and Saya wood color to match with your other interior where you wish to display it.
We highly recommend your Shirasaya to have buffalo horn fittings, which help keep the saya mounth and end from splintering. These quality fitting are all present in a quality samurai sword.
The Shirasaya is also well suited for collectors who plan to complete their sets of samurai swords by adding this elegant sword mount to their growing collection, many have found it to be their most beloved piece.
In this day and age, a large number of Japanese homes make use of the Shirasaya as a display piece to further enhance the beauty of their homes.
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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