Koshirae: The Mountings of the Japanese Sword
A Japanese sword is two works of art in one: the blade, and the mounting that houses it, known as koshirae. Mountings were made by teams of specialists in lacquer, metal, leather and silk, and they were changed as fashions, ranks and owners changed. Many survive without their blades, and they are collected for their beauty and craftsmanship.
Parts of a mounting
- Saya. The scabbard, carved from magnolia wood and lacquered, sometimes with inlay or patterned finishes.
- Tsuka. The hilt, covered in same, the skin of a ray, and wrapped in silk or leather braid, ito.
- Menuki. Small metal ornaments under the hilt wrapping, giving grip and decoration.
- Fuchi and kashira. The collar and pommel cap at each end of the hilt, usually made as a matching pair.
- Tsuba. The guard. Our guide to tsuba covers it in detail.
- Kojiri. The cap at the tip of the scabbard.
Styles of mounting
- Tachi koshirae. For a long sword slung from the belt with the edge facing down, with hangers on the scabbard. Used for older swords and ceremonial occasions.
- Uchigatana koshirae. For a sword thrust through the sash with the edge facing up, the familiar form of the katana.
- Daishō. A matched pair of long and short swords in harmonious mountings, a symbol of samurai rank in the Edo period.
- Shirasaya. A plain wooden storage scabbard and hilt, used to protect a blade when it is not mounted. It is not a koshirae, but blades are often kept in one.
What collectors look for
- Fittings that match in theme, material and maker, showing the mounting was conceived as a whole.
- Fine lacquer on the scabbard, without cracks or later overpainting.
- Original hilt wrapping in good condition, or a sympathetic rewrap.
- Signed fittings by recognised metalwork artists.
- Certificates for important mountings from recognised Japanese sword societies.
Condition
Lacquer can chip and crack, ray skin can lose nodules, and silk wrapping frays and loosens with handling. Metal fittings may be loose or missing. Ask whether any element has been replaced, and keep mountings in a stable, moderately humid environment away from direct sun.
Shipping
A koshirae without a blade is a decorative object and can generally be shipped internationally. Swords with blades are subject to registration and export procedures; see our guide to buying a Japanese sword.