Japanese sword mountings
Japanese sword mountings are the various housings and associated fittings ("") that hold the blade of a Japanese sword when it is being worn or stored. refers to the ornate mountings of a Japanese sword (e.g. "katana") used when the sword blade is being worn by its owner, whereas the is a plain undecorated wooden mounting composed of a "" and "" that the sword blade is stored in when not being used. Section::::"Shirasaya". A , "white scabbard", is a plain wooden Japanese sword "saya" (scabbard) and "tsuka" (hilt), traditionally made of nurizaya wood and used when a blade was not  expected to see use for some time and needed to be stored. They were externally featureless save for the needed "mekugi-ana" to secure the "nakago" (tang), though sometimes (blade information) was also present. The need for specialized storage is because prolonged "koshirae" mounting harmed the blade, owing to factors such as the lacquered wood retaining moisture and encouraging corrosion. Such mountings are not intended for actual combat, as the lack of a "tsuba" (guard) and proper handle wrappings were deleterious; as such they would likely never make their way onto a battlefield. However, there have been loosely similar "hidden  mountings, such as the shikomizue". Also, many blades dating back to earlier Japanese history are today sold in such a format, along with modern-day reproductions; while most are purely decorative replicas, a few have functional blades. Section::::"Koshirae". The word "koshirae" is derived from the verb , which is no longer used in current speech. More commonly "tsukuru" is used in its place with both words meaning to "make, create, manufacture." A more accurate word is , meaning sword-furniture, where are the parts of the mounting in general, and "kanagu" stands for those made of metal. are the "outer" mountings, as  opposed to , the "body" of the sword. A "koshirae" should be presented with the "tsuka" (hilt) to the left, particularly in times of peace with the reason being that you cannot unsheathe the sword easily this way. During the Edo period, many formalized rules were put into place: in times of war the hilt should be presented to the right allowing the sword to be readily unsheathed. Koshirae were meant not only for functional but also for aesthetic purposes, often using a family "mon" (crest) for identification. Types of "koshirae". Section::::"Tachi". The "tachi" style "koshirae" is the primary style  of mounting used for the "tachi", where the sword is suspended edge-down from two hangers ("ashi") attached to the "obi". The hilt often had a slightly stronger curvature than the blade, continuing the classic "tachi" increase in curvature going from the tip to the hilt. The hilt was usually secured with two pegs "(mekugi)", as compared to one peg for shorter blades including "katana". The "tachi" style "koshirae" preceded the "katana" style "koshirae". Section::::"Katana". The "katana" style "koshirae" is the most commonly known "koshirae" and it is what is most associated with a "samurai" sword. Swords mounted in this  manner are worn with the cutting edge up as opposed to the "tachi" mounting, in which the sword is worn with the cutting edge down. Section::::"Han-dachi" (half "tachi"). The "han-dachi" "koshirae" was worn "katana"-style but included some "tachi" related fittings such as a "kabuto-gane" instead of a "kashira". Section::::"Aikuchi". The is a form of "koshirae" for small swords in which the hilt and the scabbard meet without a crossguard between them. The word literally means "ai" ("meeting") + "kuchi" ("mouth; opening"), in reference to the way the hilt fits directly against the scabbard. Originally used on the  koshigatana (a precursor to the wakizashi) to facilitate close wearing with armour, it became a fashionable upper-class mounting style for a "tantō" (literally, "small sword", nowadays regarded as a dagger) from the Kamakura period onwards. Section::::"Shikomizue". The or "jotō" (杖刀, "staff sword") is a Japanese swordstick. It is most famous for its use by the fictional swordmaster Zatoichi. The sword blade was placed in a cane-like mounting ("tsue") as concealment. These mountings are not to be confused with the Shirasaya (白鞘, "white scabbard"), which were just plain wooden mountings with no decoration other than (sometimes) a short description  of the contents. Some "shikomi-zue" also concealed "metsubushi", chains, hooks, and many other things. "Shikomi-zue" could be carried in public without arousing suspicion, making them perfect tools for "shinobi". Section::::"Kaiken". The "kaiken" is an 8–10 inch long, single- or double-edged dagger without ornamental fittings housed in a plain mount, formerly carried by men and women of the samurai class in Japan. It was useful for self-defense indoors where the long "katana" and intermediate "wakizashi" were inconvenient. Women carried them in their kimono either in a pocket like fold or in the sleeve for self-defense or  for suicide by means of slashing the jugular veins and carotid artery in the left side of the neck. Parts of the "koshirae". Section::::"Saya". is the Japanese term for a scabbard, and specifically refers to the scabbard for a sword or knife. The saya of a koshirae (scabbards for practical use) are normally manufactured from very lightweight wood, with a coat of lacquer on the exterior. The wood is light enough that great care must be taken when drawing the sword; incorrect form may result in the blade of the sword slicing through the saya and injuring one or more  fingers. Correct drawing and sheathing of the blade involves contacting the mune (the back of the blade) rather than ha (the edge) to the inside of the scabbard. The saya also has a on one side for attaching a braided cord ("sageo"), and may have a shitodome (mounting loop) to accent the as well as an made from metal. Traditionally the koiguchi (the throat of the scabbard) and kojiri (the chape) were made from buffalo horn. The "Saya" is divided in parts: A is a hanging cord made of silk, cotton or leather that is passed through the hole in  the (栗形) of a Japanese sword's "saya". There are a number of different methods for wrapping and tying the sageo on the "saya" for display purposes. Other uses for the sageo are tying the sword to the samurai and hojojutsu. The samurai felt the sageo formed a spiritual bond between them and the sword, and they were very particular about tying it correctly when the sword was not in use. The "kurikata" is a knob that is attached to the scabbard of a Japanese sword. The "sageo" (cord) that secures the "saya" of the sword to the "obi" (belt ) goes through a hole in the "kurikata". The "kojiri" is the end cap of the scabbard or the protective fitting at the end of the scabbard. "Kogatana", a small utility knife that fits into a pocket on the scabbard, the "kozuka" is the decorative handle for the "kogatana". The "kōgai" is a spike for hair arranging that fits into a pocket on the "saya". The "umabari" is a small knife that is a variation of the "kogatana", it fits into a pocket on the "saya". Section::::"Tsuka". The "tsuka" is the hilt or handle of a Japanese sword. The "tsuka" is  divided in the following parts: The "menuki" are ornaments on the "tsuka" (generally under the "tsuka-ito"); to fit into the palm for grip. "Samegawa" is the ray skin used to cover or wrap the handle. "Tsuka-ito" is the wrapping of the "tsuka", traditionally silk but today more often cotton and sometimes, leather. "Fuchi", a cap type collar or ferrule which covers the opening in the "tsuka" of a Japanese sword. The tang of the sword goes into the "tsuka" through the opening in the "fuchi". The "kashira" is the end cap (pommel) on the "tsuka". Section::::"Tsuba". The is  usually a round (or occasionally squarish) guard at the end of the grip of bladed Japanese weapons, like the "katana" and its variations, "tachi", "wakizashi", "tantō", "naginata" etc. They contribute to the balance of the weapon and to the protection of the hand. The "tsuba" was mostly meant to be used to prevent the hand from sliding onto the blade during thrusts as opposed to protecting from an opponent's blade. The "chudan no kamae" guard is determined by the "tsuba" and the curvature of the blade. The diameter of the average "katana" "tsuba" is , "wakizashi" "tsuba" is , and "tantō  tsuba" is . During the Muromachi period (1333–1573) and the Momoyama period (1573–1603) "Tsuba" were more for functionality than for decoration, being made of stronger metals and designs. During the Edo period (1603–1868) there was peace in Japan so "tsuba" became more ornamental and made of less practical metals such as gold. "Tsuba" are usually finely decorated, and nowadays are collectors' items. "Tsuba" were made by whole dynasties of craftsmen whose only craft was making "tsuba". They were usually lavishly decorated. In addition to being collectors items, they were often used as heirlooms, passed from one generation to the next. Japanese  families with samurai roots sometimes have their family crest (mon) crafted onto a "tsuba". "Tsuba" can be found in a variety of metals and alloys, including iron, steel, brass, copper and "shakudō". In a duel, two participants may lock their katana together at the point of the "tsuba" and push, trying to gain a better position from which to strike the other down. This is known as "tsubazeriai" (鍔迫り合い), lit. pushing "tsuba" against each other. "Tsubazeriai" is a common sight in modern "kendō". In modern Japanese, "tsubazeriai" (鍔迫り合い) has also come to mean "to be in fierce competition." Section::::"Seppa". The  seppa are washers used in front of and behind the "tsuba" to tighten the fittings. "Seppa" can be ornate or plain. Section::::"Habaki". The is a piece of metal encircling the base of the blade of a Japanese sword. It has the double purpose of locking the "tsuba" (guard) in place, and to maintain the weapon in its "saya" (scabbard). The importance of the "habaki" is seen in drawing the katana from the scabbard. It is drawn by grasping the scabbard near the top and pressing the guard with the thumb to emerge the blade just enough to unwedge the "habaki  from inside the scabbard in a process called . The blade, being freed, can be drawn out very quickly. This is known as , , or . This is obviously an extremely aggressive gesture, since a fatal cut can be given in a fraction of a second thereafter (see iaidō"). It is similar in connotation and effect as drawing back the hammer of a handgun, chambering a round on a pump-action shotgun, or pulling back and releasing the charging handle on other firearms. The expression ""tanka o kiru"" is now widely used in Japan, in the sense of "getting ready to begin something , or getting ready to speak", especially with an aggressive connotation. The "habaki" will cause normal wear and tear inside the scabbard, and either a shim or a total replacement of the scabbard may be needed to remedy the issue as it will become too loose over time. Removing the "habaki" and oiling it after cutting or once every few months is recommended.