Shirasaya
Shirasaya ( Japanese 白 鞘 , dt. "White scabbard") is an undecorated mount made of saya (scabbard) and tsuka (handle) for katana , wakizashi , tanto , tachi , yari and naginata .
description
Originally these were used to store an unmounted blade. Like the Saya of the Koshirae mount worn on the street , the Shirasaya was made from the wood of the Honoki magnolia , but not treated afterwards. Since this resulted in better breathability , the katana was later kept in Shirasaya during the night to prevent the blades from “sweating”, that is, to prevent the humidity of the room in which the Blade was retained, reflected on the blade and caused rust . The wood of the Shirasaya absorbed the moisture.
Magnolia was used because the wood has a very low acid content and does not secrete anything else that would damage the blade. Good wood should be stored for at least 10 years so that it does not deform after processing. The complete Shirasaya -Montur without tsuba ( hilt ) or other decor, as is frequently used in Repl today, was first used in the late 19th century after the imperial ban on edged weapons because such Shirasaya -Katana a harmless Bokuto similar, a practice sword made of wood. Some versions have wooden blades that are stored in the Shirasaya when the sword is carried in the normal mount.
Furthermore, Shirasaya are also often labeled with information about the included blade. As Sayagaki , an opinion is written down as to who forged the blade where and when, as well as the name of the appraiser.
Individual evidence
- ^ Fumon Tanaka: Samurai Fighting Arts. The Spirit and Practice. Kodansha International, Tokyo et al. 2003, ISBN 4-7700-2898-9 , p. 36.
literature
- Tamio Tsuchiko: The New Generation of Japanese Swordsmiths. Translated by Kenji Mishina. Kodansha International, Tokyo et al. 2002, ISBN 4-7700-2854-7 .
- George Cameron Stone : A Glossary of the Construction, Decoration and Use of Arms and Armor in All Countries and in All Times. With an introduction by Donald J. LaRocca. Courier Dover Publications, Mineola NY 1999, ISBN 0-486-40726-8 , p. 342.
