Koshirae: Nihon Tôken Gaisô

拵・日本刀剣外装

The Mountings of the Japanese Sword

by

C.U. Guido Schiller

and

S. Alexander Takeuchi, Ph.D.

University of North Alabama

May 2006

A. A Brief History of the Development of Koshirae 拵.

The first swords made of steel, called Chokutô 直刀 (i.e., swords with straight blades), were imported into Japan from China during the Kofun 古墳 (i.e., tomb) period (3c ~ 5c), and had Chinese mountings. Those swords were imported in large quantities through the Yamato 大和period, and many of them were worn by the members of the Imperial Family and other high-ranking court officials during the 6^th century through the early 7^th century. Interestingly enough, however, there are Song period Chinese poems that mention about the superiority of Japanese swords – indicating that already back then the grass on the other side was always greener.

Although "Chokutô 直刀" simply means "straight sword(s)," this term is used exclusively for straight-bladed swords of the abovementioned periods, forged in either Hira-zukuri 平造りor Katakiri-ha 片切刃 fashions. Straight swords of other periods are simply described (if at all) as Muzori 無反り (i.e., without curvature).

The blade and Koshirae 拵 prototypes of the Japanese origin developed during the Nara period 奈良時代 (early 8c ~ 794 AD), although they were still called Kara-yô-Tachi 唐様太刀, (i.e. Chinese style Tachi). A few existing swords of this type that have survived time tell us that there seemed to have been two sub-types: swords in black lacquered wooden mountings for actual combat, and those highly decorated with semiprecious stones and fancy lacquering. Back then Samegawa 鮫皮 (ray skin) was rarely used on the handles, but it only became common during the Heian period 平安時代 (794 ~ 1185 AD).

The earliest curved swords of the mid Heian period 平安時代 were Kantô 韓刀: simple iron swords of Korean design. The curved Tachi 太刀 of a more Japanese design toward the latter half of the Heian period 平安時代 clearly showed the adaptation of blade construction and mountings to the Japanese taste and usage. Among them were Kazari-Tachi 飾太刀 (decorative Tachi), very highly decorative Tachi worn by the highest ranking court nobles, and Hoso-Tachi 細太刀 (narrow Tachi), a less decorative (thus more affordable) substitute of Kazari-Tachi 飾太刀 still worn by high ranking court nobles. Because both of these Tachi太刀 were meant for ceremonial use, they were luxuriously mounted and mostly came with non-functional “blades” made of iron bars that were not heat-treated or sharpened.

The curved swords of Shinogi-zukuri 鎬造 type (called Wantô 湾刀) that we now recognize as the prototype of truly Japanese design were perfected in as late as the second half of the Heian period 平安時代 by the smiths such as Sanjô Munechika 三条宗近 of Kyôtô 京都, Yasutsuna 安綱 of Hôki 伯耆, and Tomonari 友成 of Bizen 備前. During the latter part of this period, Tachi 太刀 worn by Imperial guards became less garish to emphasize the function because of the series of wars from which the Samurai 侍 class emerged. Those Tachi with sharpened steel blades and slightly more utilitarian mounts that the earliest Samurai 侍 wore were called Eifu-Tachi 衛府太刀, and were still in use during the Edo period 江戸時代 (1603 ~ 1867) by the imperial guards and high ranking government officials.

One interesting characteristic of common Eifu-Tachi 衛府太刀 during the late Heian period 平安時代 is its unique “tweezers-shaped” cutout in the steel handle. Because of that, they are also called the Kenukigata-Tachi 毛抜形太刀 (hair-tweezers-shape Tachi 太刀). While much speculation has been made regarding the functionality of such cutouts, it is obvious that they must have been very uncomfortable to hold and use because of the bear forged steel handles. Nonetheless, from the existing examples of Kenukigata-Tachi 毛抜形太刀with actual battle marks and historical paintings, it is believed that they were intended and actually used in the battlefields, rather than served ritualistic purposes or as presentation pieces donated to Shintôist 神道 shrines to celebrate happy occasions.

At the end of the Heian period 平安時代 and the following Kamakura period 鎌倉時代 (1185 ~ 1333 AD), Hyôgo-Kusari-Tachi 兵庫鎖太刀 became very popular. It was named after its chain-hangers, and was usually covered with metal foil. Theses swords were mostly used as presentation pieces to Shintôist 神道 shrines and Buddhist temples. However, majority of the fighting swords were rather somber with much more utilitarian mountings in black lacquer or covered with leather, and they were called Kurourushi-Tachi 黒漆太刀 (black lacquered Tachi). Sometimes the lower part of the Saya 鞘 or scabbard had a cover made of fur to protect it from the elements during the battle. This type of saya was called Shiri-zaya 尻鞘 (butt Saya 鞘), and the early example of Shiri-zaya 尻鞘 can be seen on Kenukigata-Tachi 毛抜形太刀.

The fighting Tachi 太刀 of the early Samurai 侍 was Kuroshibi-Tachi 黒渋太刀, but these swords further transformed themselves into Kawazutsumi-Tachi 皮包太刀 (i.e., Tachi 太刀 with Saya 鞘 covered in black leather for protection) in the Nambokuchô period 南北朝時代 (1336 ~ 1392 AD). It was also during this period when the first Itomaki-no-Tachi 糸巻太刀 was used. They had Tsukamaki 柄巻 as well as Sayamaki 鞘巻, the wrapping at the upper part of the Saya 鞘 to prevent damage from rubbing against the armor. The Itomaki-Tachi 糸巻太刀 became the Tachi 太刀 of choice for combat for the following centuries.

Uchigatana 打刀 (lit. "strike-sword") already had its predecessors in the Heian period 平安時代, but it became standard for foot soldiers during the second half of the Muromachi period 室町時代 (1338 ~ 1573 AD). Unlike the Tachi 太刀, which had two Obitori 帯執 (hangers) on the Saya 鞘 to hang it from the waist belt edge down, the Uchigatana 打刀 was worn edge up through the sash. Although Tachi 太刀 was still produced throughout the Muromachi period 室町時代, the Uchigatana 打刀 eventually became the most common long sword or Daitô 大刀 for many Samurai 侍 for ordinary occasions. The early Uchigatana 打刀 had very plain, simple mountings, whereas the later Handachi 半太刀 (half-Tachi) looked very much like Tachi 太刀 again, except for the Obitori 帯執 This style never really went out of fashion during the next centuries.

Since the early Muromachi period 室町時代, the manufacture of Tsuba 鍔 became a separate profession; until then, Tsuba 鍔 were forged by swordsmiths, armorsmiths or made by Kagamishi 鏡師, mirrorsmiths. (Note: Polished disks of metal were used as mirrors in Japan). Early Tsuba 鍔 had Sukashi 透し, cut-outs in negative silhouette, but from then on brass inlays and positive silhouette Sukashi 透し, especially from Owari 尾張 province, became more refined. The Shôami 正阿彌 family became one of the main manufacturers of Tsuba 鍔, with many generations to follow. Up until Muromachi period 室町時代, many Kanagu 金具 (i.e., metal fittings) other than the Tsuba 鍔 used to have been made of Yamagane 山金 ("mountain metal," unrefined copper). During this time, however, they were often made of Shakudô 赤銅.

The Momoyama period 桃山時代 (1568 ~ 1598 AD) is well known for its flamboyant Koshirae 拵 design with light red lacquered Saya 鞘 and Kanagu 金具 in gold, called Momoyama Koshirae 桃山拵. Those flashy mountings, however, were counterbalanced by Tenshô-Koshirae 天正拵 (in the era of Tenshô 天正, 1573 ~ 1586 AD) with black Saya 鞘 and Same 鮫, and a tapered Tsuka 柄 in so called hourglass shape with leather binding crossed over a Kashira 頭 made of plain horn. It was also during this period that Daishô 大小, or the combination of Katana 刀 and Wakizashi 脇差 became the standard for Samurai 侍.

During this time, part of the Tankô 鍔工 from Kyôto 京都 moved to Akasaka 赤坂 in Edo 江戸, and produced many fine Sukashi-Tsuba 透し鍔. The Myôchin 明珍 family switched their trade from manufacturing armor to making Tsuba 鍔. Families such as Akao 赤尾, Haruta 春田 and Kinai 記内 dominated Echizen 越前 province Tsuba 鍔. From the second generation on, the Kinai 記内 family had a special relationship with Echizen Yasutsugu 越前康継, the Shôgun's 将軍 favorite smith. They not only carved the dragon-Horimono 彫物 for his swords, but also the Aoi-no-Gomon 葵の御紋, the family crest of the Tokugawa 徳川, on the tang of his swords. Both motifs are also very often found on their Tsuba 鍔.

In Higo 肥後 province the Kanagu-shi 金具師 were encouraged by the Hosokawa Daimyô 細川大名, and worked in iron, copper, brass and cloisonné (Shippô 七宝). Typical characteristics of Higo-Koshirae 肥後拵 include round Kashira 頭 and Kojiri 鐺; the Same 鮫 that is often black; and the Saya 鞘 in Samenuri 鮫塗, where the "valleys" in the Same 鮫 filled with lacquer, and the "mountains" smoothed and polished flush. Also, the Tsuka 柄 often had a leather wrapping. This type of Koshirae 拵 was later copied as Edo-Higo-Koshirae 江戸肥後拵, but mostly with simpler Saya 鞘 and natural colored Same 鮫.

After Tokugawa Ieyasu 徳川家康 moved to Edo 江戸, many artists set up their workshop in the Shôgun’s 将軍 capital. In the Edo period 江戸時代 (1603 ~ 1867 AD), the Gotô 後藤 family, who had worked for the Ashikaga 足利, almost dominated the making of sword fittings, especially for formal Daishô 大小.

As with many other things, wearing of swords was also formally regulated in the early Edo period 江戸時代. For example, in Genna 元和 9 (1624 AD), red Saya 鞘, swords over 2 Shaku 尺 9 Sun 寸 (87.87 cm) and square Tsuba 鍔 were prohibited. Commoners were not allowed to wear Katana swords at least legally. Another Shôgunate’s 幕府 executive order issued in July of Shôho 正保 2 (1645 AD) specified the maximum blade length of Katana 刀 to be 2 Shaku 8 Sun or 9 Sun (= 84.84cm - 87.87cm) and Wakizashi 脇差 to be 1 Shaku 8 Sun or 9 Sun (= 54.54cm - 57.57cm).

Samurai 侍 in the Shôgun’s 将軍 castle of Edo 江戸城 wore the Banzashi-Daishô 番差大小 (or Tojôzashi-Daishô 登城差大小) as specified by the strict military laws.

The military sepc. swords Same 鮫 had to be white, the Saya 鞘 black lacquered and with horn fittings. The Kojiri 鐺 of the Katana 刀 was flat, and that of the Wakizashi 脇差 rounded. The Kashira 頭 had to be horn, with the black Tsukamaki 柄巻 crossed over it (Kakemaki). The Fuchi 縁 and Midokoromono 三所物 ("things of the three places": Menuki 目貫, Kôgai 笄 and Kozuka 小柄) had to be Shakudô-Nanako 赤銅七子 (fish-roe-pattern) with the only decoration being the family Mon 紋. The Tsuba 鍔 was polished Shakudô 赤銅 without any decoration. However, this was not always strictly enforced, and Kanagu 金具 with Shishi 獅子 (lion dogs), dragons or floral motifs seem to have been tolerated.

Inside the Edo castle 江戸城, most Samurai 侍 had to wear the Kamishimozashi 裃差 when on normal duty, with the Kataginu 肩衣 “wing shoulders” and Hakama 袴 “split skirt trousers,” while Kuge 公家 (court nobles), Daimyô 大名 and other high ranking officials were clad in the Hitatare 直垂 court attire with Eboshi 烏帽子 hat, a Wakizashi 脇差 at their hip. The mounting was either an Aikuchi 合口 or Hamidashi 喰出し (a very small Tsuba 鍔) with Dashizame 出し鮫, or hilt covered in Same 鮫 without Tsukamaki 柄巻. This short sword often did not have a Mekugi 目釘 to fasten the hilt to the tang, which rendered it almost impractical. This was because the wearer wanted to show that, due to his high rank, he would not need to use it anyhow. Besides, it was a capital offense to draw a sword more than 3 Sun 寸 (9.09 cm) at court (without a special permission), as anybody who read or watched the play "Chûshingura 忠臣蔵", the story of the 47 Rônin 浪人, would know.

As already mentioned, a Daishô 大小 (lit. "big-small") is the Katana 刀-Wakizashi 脇差 or Katana 刀-Tantô 短刀 pair that was one of the defining attributes of the Samurai 侍 class. Most Daishô 大小 were mounted en suite, but actually any combination of a short and a long sword is considered a Daishô 大小 especially for casual wearing of the swords when not on official duty. By the mid to late Edo period 江戸時代, there were increasingly more fashion-minded Samurai 侍 who only wore Wakizashi 脇差 in a very casual manner called Otoshi-zasi 落し差し by simply “dropping” the Wakizashi more vertically between the sash on the left hip instead of wearing the Wakizashi more horizontally at the abdomen.

During the second half of the Edo period 江戸後期, Koshirae-Kanagu 拵金具 or metal fittings for Koshirae also developed into a genre of art itself. Bronze, copper and brass as well as the alloy Shibuichi 四分一 were widely used for fittings on "regular" swords. Those fittings made of such soft metals were called Kinkô-kanagu 金工金具 (i.e., fittings of gold / precious metal work). Pure silver mountings were quite rare, as were pure gold mountings, which were banned in 1830. Also during this time, Yokoya Sômin 横谷宗珉 left the Gotô 後藤 school, which only worked with Shakudô 赤銅, and invented Katakiribori 片切彫, engravings with a triangular chisel. In Nara 奈良, the Nara-Sansaku 奈良三作 ("three makers from Nara 奈良") (Nara Toshinaga 奈良利寿, Sugiura Jôi 杉浦乗意, and Tsuchiya Yasuchika 土屋安親) became famous with sunken relief (Shishiaibori 肉合彫). Yagyû-Tsuba 柳生鍔 developed from Owari-Tsuba 尾張鍔, so called after the Yagyû 柳生 family, fencing instructors for the Shôgun 将軍. Typical Yagyû-Koshirae 柳生拵 has a ribbed Saya 鞘, and often had the Menuki 目貫 placed in Gyakute 逆手or in reversed positions.

At home Samurai 侍 rested their Daishô 大小 on a rack (Katana-Kake 刀掛), edge up, Katana 刀 on top and Tsuka 柄 to the left. High-ranking Samurai 侍 who lived in a house with their family were usually greeted at the entrance of the house by their wives, who carried the swords after pulling the sleeves of their Kimono 着物 over their hands in order to not touch the mountings with bare hands. Women of the Samurai 侍 class carried a Tantô 短刀 in their sash, which was not subject to any restrictions, and was often lavishly decorated.

The executive order issued on July 18, Shôhô 正保 2 (1645 AD) only prohibited the commoners wearing swords over 1.8 Shaku 尺 (54.54 cm). This enabled non-Samurai travelers on the Tôkaidô 東海道 road to arm themselves with a short sword against robbers that were encountered quite frequently in unpopulated areas, and also enabled the chief of police to arm the Komono 小者, non-Samurai 侍 police assistants in some extreme events.

Rich merchants showed off their wealth by sporting expensive Tantô 短刀. Physicians also wore Tantô 短刀, but some merely wore decorative Tantô 短刀 made of solid wood.

The end of the Edo period 江戸時代 is called Bakumatsu 幕末 (1853 ~ 1868), and brought many changes to the Samurai 侍 class. Some men started wearing newly imported western clothes. Since at this time both the Imperial Army and the Shôgun’s Army adopted Western style military uniform, the soldiers of both Armies started wearing so called Toppei-Koshirae 突兵拵 swords, also called Zubon