Existing comment:
The Mounting of a Japanese Sword:
Sword blades were passed down from generation to generation and regularly received new mountings. Most of the mounted swords in the Walters collection were designed to be inserted in the sash at the left waist, in a position close to horizontal, and with the edge of the blade facing upward. The bearer could quickly grasp the hilt with his right hand and secure the scabbard with his left.
On the side of the scabbard next to the wearer's body there is usually placed a utility knife (kozuka). On the side facing away from the wearer is the loop for the tying cord. On the same side are sometimes placed kogai, skewers that could be used to arrange the warrior's hair. (The dismantled sword has no kogai.)
This arrangement is reflected in the organization of the sword guard or tsuba, the top face of which can be easily viewed by someone facing the sword bearer. The central opening is for the blade, with the edge at the top. The left hand opening (the one next to the wearer's body) is for the utility knife. The right hand opening, the lobed one, is for the kogai. One or both of these side openings may be filled in if the mounting in which the tsuba was used did not include the kozuka or the kogai. |