Sageo

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A tachi with a leather sago

The Sageo ( Japanese 下 (げ) 緒 , dt. Approximately: "(sword) scabbard tape") was a tape, usually made of silk or cotton with a length of six to eight shaku (180 to 240 cm), the The scabbard ( Saya ) of the Japanese long or short sword ( katana and wakizashi ) was worn in order to be able to attach it better to the belt ( obi ). The mostly multi-branched sago, which were used for short swords, were called Tako ashi sageo ( 蛸 足下 緒 ) because they were reminiscent of octopus legs ( tako no ashi ). A distinction was made between the two Sageo forms for long swords: Tachi -o ( 太 刀 緒 ) and Haki-o ( 佩 緒 ). As a rule, Sageo consisted of braided cords and were divided according to the braiding pattern. Sageo were also made from leather.

The Sageo is still used today in various Japanese martial arts such as Iaidō or Kenjutsu . In this original function, the Sageo also served as a safety device for the weapon, which could no longer suddenly be pulled out of the obi by a stranger. In the course of time, various dyeing methods developed and with the use of different types of fabric, the Sageo also assumed the function of a decorative ornament. Different colors were an indication of the social position of the wearer. It is also believed that the Sageo was used to tie up the sleeves in dangerous situations.

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. 下 げ 緒 . In: デ ジ タ ル 版 日本人 名 大 辞典 + Plus at kotobank.jp. Retrieved February 27, 2017 (Japanese).