Koshirae

The Koshirae is the mounting on the Japanese sword (e.g. Katana), when it is being worn by its owner, whereas shirasaya is the wooden sheath and grip the sword wears when in storage.

In the proper manner a Koshirae should be presented with tsuka to the left.

Individual parts of the koshirae

• Kashira - butt cap on the end of the hilt

• Fuchi - hilt collar (above the guard/tsuba)

• Same-kawa - ray skin wrapping of the handle

• Menuki - ornaments on the hilt (generally under the tsuka-ito)

• Tsuba - sword guard

• Tsuka - hilt

• Tsuka-maki - silk wrapping on the hilt a.k.a "tsuka-ito" or "ito-maki"

• Habaki - wedge shaped metal collar used to keep the sword from falling out of the scabbard and to support the fittings below

• Seppa - washers above and below the tsuba of a samurai sword

• Kozuka - decorative handle fitting for the kogatana; a small utility knife fit into a 'pocket' on the scabbard

• Kogai - spike for hair arranging carried sometimes as part of Katana-Koshirae in another 'pocket'

• Wari-bashi - metal chop-sticks fit in a 'pocket' on the scabbard

• Kuri-kata - knob on the side of the scabbard for attaching Sageo

• Sageo - cord used to tie scabbard to the belt/obi when worn

• Koiguchi - mouth of the scabbard or its fitting

• Kojiri - end of the scabbard or its fitting

• Kaishizuno - a hook shaped fitting used to lock the scabbard to the obi while drawing