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. 拵え 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. Fuchi: The is a hilt collar between the and the . Habaki: The is a wedge-shaped metal collar used to keep the sword from falling out of the and to support the fittings below; fitted at the ha-machi and mune-machi which precede the . Kaeshizuno: a hook shaped fitting used to lock the saya to the obi while drawing. Kashira: The kashira is a butt cap (or pommel) on the end of the tsuka. Kōgai: The is a spike for hair arranging carried sometimes as part of katana-koshirae in another pocket. Koiguchi: The is the mouth of the saya or its fitting; traditionally made of buffalo horn. Kojiri: The is the end of the saya or the protective fitting at the end of the saya; also traditionally made of buffalo horn. Kozuka: The is a decorative handle fitting for the kogatana; a small utility knife fit into a pocket on the saya. Kurigata: The is a knob on the side of the saya for attaching the sageo. Mekugi: The is a small peg for securing the tsuka to the nakago. Menuki: The are ornaments on the tsuka (generally under the tsuka-ito); Originally menuki were a cover for the mekugi to hold the peg/s in place. On Tachi worn edge down orientation at palm to orient the sword. On Katana orientation is at fingertips to orient the sword. Mekugi-ana: The are the holes in the tsuka and nakago for the mekugi. Sageo: The is the cord used to tie saya to the belt/obi when worn. Same-hada: literally the pattern of the ray skin. Same-kawa (samegawa): is the ray or shark skin wrapping of the tsuka (handle/hilt). Saya: The is a wooden scabbard for the blade; traditionally done in lacquered wood. Seppa: The are washers above and below the tsuba to tighten the fittings.