What are menuki?
Menuki is a kind of metal fitting of the Japanese sword, which was initially put into the hole of the handle. It covers Mekugi (nail) so that the blade of a sword will be fixed. Originally, Menuki was used to hold Mekugi, but they became separated over time.
Is Shirasaya a katana?
The Shirasaya is a sword mounting while the Katana is a Nihonto. The Shirasaya was used for storing various types of Nihonto like the Katana, Wakizashi, Tanto, and more. The Katana, on the other hand, is a Nihonto with a curved blade and a single edge.
What is Samegawa?
The same translates to “shark” or samegawa as “shark skin”. This is an important component of the katana located on the handle or tsuka. The wooden handle is carved flat on either side so a panel of samagawa can be placed under the handle wrap.
What is Rayskin?
Shagreen is a type of rawhide consisting of rough untanned skin, historically from a horse’s or onager’s back, or from shark or ray.
What is a saya?
Saya (鞘) 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.
What is uchiko powder?
Derived from ground up polishing stones, uchiko is a fine powder that when used sparingly helps maintain the surface finish of your nihonto’s blade. When using on nihonto, use sparingly so as not to degrade your sword. The ground whetstones are double wrapped in silk to allow for fine and controlled application.
Who made O Ren Ishii sword?
Hattori Hanzō
Overview. At some point before gaining control of the Toyko underworld, O-Ren Ishii was given a sword made by Hattori Hanzō.
Why do katanas use ray skin?
As a side note, the reason for using rayskin is to help bind the handle and the bumpy surface helps the ito grip to the handle as well. In the old days they often used a FULL wrap of rayskin, but they DID actually also use panels like most production swords today.
What is shagreen made from?
stingray
Real shagreen is a natural hide, typically from shark, stingray or dogfish, though man-made replicas are now used widely and impressively.
What is Katana Rayskin?
This was popular during the Heian period which covers 794 to 1185 A.D. It is skin from the belly of ray. This is specifically cowtail stingray that has a rough and granular surface. This is used to decorate the Saya and to cover the hilt while it allows the sword owner to grip the blade.