A lot of legends are folded about Japanese swords, often not justified. Probably a lot of people to the question of what is called japanese SwordThey will answer - Katana. From part it is correct, but only partly. The classification of Japanese swords is not easy. The most simple classification, in my opinion, in length.
It is known that samurai wore two swords - long and short. Such a couple was called Dissyo (letters. "More and smaller") and consisted of Daito ("greater sword"), we will call him Katana, who was the main weapon of samurai, and Seto ("smaller sword"), in the future of Vacadzasi, which served as a spare or additional weapon, Applying in the near battle, to cut off heads or Harakiri, if the samurai had no purpose for this purpose for this dagger Kusutungoba or Tanto. If the wearing of the big sword of Katana was allowed only to the wars of samurai and aristocrats, then Vacadzasi had the right to wear craftsmen and merchants.
Kusutungobu - Dagger for melee
So, the long sword was called Dito (Katana) - 95-120 cm, short - Seto (Vakadzasi)- 50-70 cm. Handle of katana is usually calculated by 3.5 fist, Vacadzasi - by 1.5. The blade width in both swords is about 3 cm, the backing thickness is 5 mm, while the blade has a razor sharpness. The handle is usually covered with sharks of the skin or is wrapped in such a way that the handle does not slide in their hands. The weight of katana is about 4 kg. Garda for both swords was small, only slightly covered hand, had a round, petal or multifaceted form. It was called "TsUB".
Katana and other Japanese swords were kept on a special stand - Katanakake.
Katana, has several varieties, one of them is Ko-Katana (Cocatana) - a variant of a short katana, incoming together with a rolling in a regular samurai-set of cold weapons. Cocatana straight straight handle without a handicuit, a little curved blade. The specimen described in the domestic literature has a length of 690 mm, the length of the blade is 520 mm.
Cocatana variety of katana
Katana was mounted on a belt or behind. Tied the Sugaio special cord, this cord could also be used to bind the opponent. Special sheaths were used for wearing the back of the back (Vatarimaki part of the scabbard of Japanese blade weapons, concerning the back when wearing). On the sheath there is a coupling - a ring, covering the sheath, with which the fastening is performed to the spoil or belt.
Katana is the most modern and perfect view of Japanese cold weapons, its production has improved centuries, the predecessors of Katana were:
Tati. - The sword common in Japan from X to XVII B, along the length of equal katana. Although Katana's swords also have a decent curvature of the blade, in general, it is less than that of Tati. Their external finish is also different. It is much simpler and more stricter than Tati. Has a round zuba. Tati was usually worn by a blade down in a pair with a kosichane.
Tanto - Small samurai sword.
Kozuk - Japanese combat knife used as a cold or throwing weapon. In everyday life served as a household knife.
Taha - One-ole-free sword of small curvature, wearable behind his back. Total length 710 mm.
In addition to Dise Samurai, I could also wear Nodati - "Field Sword" With a blade length more than a meter and a total length of about 1.5 m., Sometimes his length reached three meters! Such a sword was performed at once several samurai and the only use of it was - the defeat of the horse troops.
Nodati
Katana - the strongest sword in the world
Katana production technology is very complex - special steel treatment, multi-layered (multiple) forging, hardening, etc. Katana is the strongest swords in the world, they are able to break the materials of almost any hardness, whether meat, bones, iron. Masters who own the art of conducting a battle on Katana in a battle with a warrior armed with a conventional European sword, could cut this sword into two parts, the impact force of a samurai and Steel Katana allowed to do this (Monuchi - part of the blade blades from Japanese bladed weapons on which the main power accounted for Strike).
Katana could be equally easily and prick, and chop. A long handle allows you to actively maneuver with a sword. At the same time, the main grip is the position when the end of the handle rests in the middle of the palm, and the right hand holds her near the Garda. The simultaneous movement of both hands allows you to describe a wide amplitude with a sword without much effort. And Katana, and the direct European Sword knight weigh a lot, but the principles of the execution of olings are completely different. Most of the blows are applied in the vertical plane. Accepted in Europe separation to the "block-blow" is almost no. There are stinging strikes on the hands or arms of the enemy, throwing his weapon from the attack line and give the opportunity to strike the enemy to strike at the next step.
Catana weaknesses
Speaking about the peculiarities of the technology of making samurai sword, it is worth noting the weaknesses of this process, namely, gaining greater hardness and power along the blade axis, this type of sword is more vulnerable if hitting it with a flat side. Such a blow can be overbabbing Katana even with a short mace (or Okinawan nunchaks, which were specifically used to break samurai swords). And if the European sword is usually breaking at the distance of the palm or in two fingers from Garda, then Japanese - at a distance of 1/3 or 1/2 of the length of the blade from Garda.
Yes, truthful and those stories when the rods are destroyed by metal. This is possible! Documented, when the wizard strikes such a blade, the speed of the tip of the sword (Kisaki) exceeded the speed of the sound. And if you consider the fact that katana swords are one of the most durable in the world, the conclusion suggests itself.
Tati - Sword on the length of equal Katana
Japanese long sword Tati. A wavy pattern of Hamon on the blade is visible.
The most ancient katana of handmade (the sheath for Katana, too, handmade was decorated with ornaments), are most valued and transmitted from generation to generation as a family relic. Such katana cost very expensive, especially if I can see MEI - stigma with the name of the Masters and the Year of manufacture on the shank of Japanese bladed weapons - what neither be a famous master.
Many masters of gunsmiths from different countries They tried to copy Katan, as a result, such well-known swords were obtained as: three - Tibetan sword, a copying samurai; Taijinjiang (Chinese Sword of the Great Limit) Variety of Jiang; Sword Korean, Japanese name Katana in the VII-XIII centuries; and others. But, real Katana can be found only in Japan, and if Katana is not manufactured in Japan - this is no longer katana!
Composite parts of the katana:
- Adjacent to the jeep decoration, ring, reinforcing handle (coupling) - FUCI (FUCHI),
- Cord - Ito (ITO),
- Blade - kami,
- Top Ring (Head) Handle - Casir (Kashira),
- Entrance to the sheath - Koiguchi (Koiguchi),
- The tip of the sheath - Codisiri (Kojiri),
- Loop for strings - Kurikata (Kurikata),
- Bamboo wedge for fixing the blade in the handle - Mercgue (Mekugi),
- Decoration on the handle under (or above) braid - Mainics (Menuki),
- Shank - emerging,
- Rizens - Sageo (Sageo),
- Skin leather on the handle - Sama (SAME),
- Sheath - Saya (SAYA),
- Gasket between Garda and Ring (Washer) - SEPPA (SEPPA),
- Hammer for disassembling the sword - Tetsu,
- Blade - Tosin,
- Garda - Tsuba (TSUBA),
- Handle - Tsuka (Tsuka),
- Braid - Tsukamaki,
- The coupling for fixing the sword in the sheath - habaki.
Japanese short sword of Vakidzasi. Blade and sword in the sheath.
Vakidzasi is a short traditional Japanese sword.
Basically used samurai and was worn on a belt. The length of the blade is from 30 cm to 61 cm. The total length is 50-80 cm. Vakidzasi is like a form on the katana. He was wary in a pair with a roller, also plugging in the belt blade up.
In a pair of Daisy (two major samurai swords: Long and short) Vakidzasi was used as a short sword (Syuto).
Samurai used Vakidzasi as weapons when Katana was unavailable or not applicable. In early periods of Japanese history, Tanto's small sword was rushed instead of Vakidzasi. And also when Samurai dress the armor, instead of Katana and Vakidzasi, Tato and Tanto were usually used. Entering the room, the warrior left Katanu at the servant or to Katanaka. Vakidzasi was always rushed and removed only if the samurai remained for a long period of time. Beads often called this sword "the keeper of their honor." Some fencing schools learned to use and Katan and Vakidzasi at the same time.
Unlike Katana, which could only wear samurai, Vakidzasi was allowed to merchants and artisans. They used this sword as a full weapon, for the status did not have the right to wear Katan.
A more correct classification: It can be used to classify weapons along the length of the blade. "Tanto" should have a blade not shorter than 30 cm and no longer than 40 cm, "Vakidzasi" - from 41 to 60 cm, "Katana" - from 61 to 75 cm, "Tati" - from 75 to 90 cm. "Iodati" from 3-Xayak 90.9 cm. The most preserved to this day of it is 3 m 77 cm.
Any narrative of historical cold weapons will be incomplete without a story about medieval Japanese swords. it unique weapons Over the past centuries, faithfully served as its owners - samurai fierce soldiers. In recent decades, Katana's sword, as if, is experiencing a second birth, interest in it is huge. Japanese sword has already become an element mass culture, Katana "love" Hollywood directors, creators of anime and computer games.
It was believed that the spirits of all his former owners live in a sword, and Samurai is just the keeper of the Blade, and he is obliged to convey it to the next generations. In the will, the Samurai was necessarily an item in which his swords were distributed between the sons. If a good sword had a unworthy or inept owner, then in this case they said: "Sword cries."
No less interest today also causes the history of this weapon, the secrets of its manufacture and fencing technique, which was used by medieval Japanese warriors. However, before proceeding to our story, you should say a few words about the very definition of the samurai sword and its classification.
Katana is a long Japanese sword, with a length of the blade from 61 to 73 cm, with a slight bend of the blade and one-sided sharpening. There are other types of Japanese swords, they mainly differ in their dimensions and appointment. At the same time, the word "Katana" in modern Japanese means any sword. If we talk about the European Classification of Cold Weapons, then Katana is not a sword at all, it is a typical saber with one-sided sharpening and curved blade. In the form of the Japanese sword very much resembles a checker. However, in the tradition of the country of the rising Sun, the sword is called any type (well, or almost anyone) of cold weapons, which has a blade. Even the naggin, similar to the European medieval Gleb, with a two-meter handle and a blade at the end, in Japan is still called a sword.
Historians are much easier to learn the Japanese sword than European or Middle Eastern historical cold weapons. And there are several reasons here:
- The Japanese sword was used in a relatively recent past. Katana (this weapon had a special name of the GUN) was massively used during World War II;
- Unlike Europe, so far has been preserved a large number of old Japanese swords. Weapons whose age is several centuries, often is in excellent condition;
- The production of swords on traditional medieval technologies continues in Japan and today. Today, about 300 Kuznetsov are engaged in the manufacture of this weapon, they all have special government licenses;
- The Japanese carefully retained the basic fiction art techniques on swords.
History
The Iron Age began in Japan relatively late, only by the VII century, the Japanese blacksmiths mastered the technology of manufacturing weapons from multilayer steel. Up to this point, Iron swords were in the country from China and Korea. The oldest Japanese swords most often were straight and had a double-edge sharpening.
Hayean period (IX-XII century). During this period, the Japanese sword gets its traditional bending. At this time is the central government Weakening, and the country plunged into a series of endless internecine wars and entered the long period of self-insulation. The caste of samurai - professional warriors began to form. At the same time, the skill of Japanese kuznetsov-gunsmiths increased significantly.
Most of the battles took place in the equestrian building, so the place of direct sword gradually took a long saber. Initially, she had a bending around the handle, later he shifted the area, separated by 1/3 of the end of the shank. It was during the Hayean period that the appearance of the Japanese sword was finally developed, and its manufacturing technology was worked out.
The period of the Kamakura (XII-XIV century).A significant improvement in the armor, which occurred during this period led to changes in the form of a sword. They were aimed at improving the impact of weapons. His peak has become more massive, the mass of blades increased. Fencing with such a sword with one hand became much more complicated, so they were mainly used in hiking fights. This historical period is considered the "golden age" for a traditional Japanese sword, later many technologies for the manufacture of blades were lost. Today, the blacksmiths are trying to restore them.
The period of Muromati (XIV-XVI century). At this historical period, very long swords begin to appear, the dimensions of some of them exceeded two meters. Such giants are rather the exception than the rule, but the general trend was on face. The long period of permanent wars demanded a large amount of cold weapons, often by reducing its quality. In addition, the overall impoverishment of the population led to the fact that few could afford a truly high-quality and dear sword. At this time, the distribution is obtained by the Tatars furnaces, which makes it possible to increase the total amount of steel weakened. The tactics of fights change, now the fighter is important to get ahead of the opponent in applying the first strike, so swords are becoming increasingly popular. By the end of this period, the first appears in Japan firearmsthat changes the tactics of battles.
Momoyama period (XVI century).During this period, the Japanese sword becomes shorter, in the use of a couple of Dissyo, later who became classic: the long sword Katana and the short sword of Vakidzasi.
All the above periods refer to the so-called epoch of old swords. At the beginning of the XVII century, the era of new swords begins (Shinto). At this time, perennial civilians are stopped in Japan, and the world agrees. Therefore, the sword somewhat loses its combat value. The Japanese sword becomes an element of a suit, status symbol. Weapons start richly decorating, much more attention is paid to him appearance. However, its combat qualities are reduced.
After 1868, the era of modern swords begins. Weapon, forged after this year, is called Ganda. In 1876, the wearing sword was forbidden. This decision caused a serious blow to the Caste of Warriors-Samurai. A large number of Kuznetsov engaged in the manufacture of blades, lost work or were forced to retrain. Only at the beginning of the last century, a return campaign begins to traditional values.
The highest part for the samurai was to die in battle with a sword in his hands. In 1943, a plane was shot down with Japanese Admiral Isoroka Yamamoto (the one that was led by the attack on Pearl Harbor). When the charred body of the admiral was made from under the wreckage of the plane, they found in the hands of a dead man Katan, with whom he met his death.
At the same time, for the armed forces, swords began to be manufactured in an industrial method. And although they externally resembled a battle samurai sword, this weapon had no relation to traditional blades made in earlier periods.
After the final defeat of the Japanese in World War II, the winners made an order to destroy all traditional Japanese swords, but thanks to the intervention of historians, he was soon canceled. The production of swords according to traditional technologies was resumed in 1954. A special organization "Society for the preservation of art Japanese swords" was created, its main task was to preserve the traditions of making a katan, as part cultural heritage Japanese nation. Currently, there is a multistage system for assessing the historical and cultural value of Japanese swords.
Japanese classification of swords
What other swords except the famous Katana exist (or existed in the past) in Japan. The classification of swords is quite complicated, in the country of the rising sun, it refers to scientific disciplines. What will be described below is just short reviewwhich provides only a general idea of \u200b\u200bthe question. Currently, the following varieties of Japanese swords are distinguished:
- Katana. The most famous variety of Japanese sword. It has a length of the blade from 61 to 73 cm, with a rather wide and thick curved blade. Outwardly, it is very similar to another Japanese sword - Tati, but differs from it a smaller bend of the blade, the way wearing, and also (but not always) long. Katana was not just a weapon, but also an unchanged attribute of a samurai, part of his costume. Without this sword, the warrior simply did not come out of the house. Katana could carry the belt or on special strings. Was kept on a special horizontal stand, which was put at the head of the warrior at the night;
- Tati. This is a long Japanese sword. It has a big bend than Katana. The Tati blade length begins from 70 cm. In the past, this sword was usually used for equestrian battle and during parades. Stored on a vertical stand with a handle down in peacetime and handle up during the war. Sometimes of this type of Japanese sword is allocated yet - O-Dati. These clinics were distinguished by significant sizes (up to 2.25 m);
- Vakidzasi. A short sword (30-60 cm blade), which, together with a roller, forms a standard samurai weapon. Vakidzasi could be used to fight in close space, as well as it was used in a pair with a long sword in some fencing techniques. This weapon could not wear samurai, but also representatives of other classes;
- Tanto. A dagger or a knife with a length of the blade up to 30 cm. Used to cut the heads, as well as for the commission of Harakiri, and for other, more peaceful purposes;
- Tsurugi. A double-edged straight sword that was used in Japan to the X century. Often these name are any ancient swords;
- Ninja or Sinobi Gatana. This is a sword that used famous Japanese medieval spies - Ninja. In their appearance, he practically did not differ from Katana, but was shorter. The thicker was the sheath of this sword, elusive syncoti hid the whole spy arsenal in them. By the way, the ninja was not over his back, because it was extremely uncomfortable. An exception was the cases when the warrior was needed free hands, for example, if he decided to climb the wall;
- Naginat. This is a kind of cold weapon, which was a slightly curled blade, placed on a long wooden tree. Reminded the medieval Gleb, but the Japanese also attribute to swords. Fights on the nagging are held to this day;
- Gun. Army sword of the last century. This weapon was manufactured in an industrial method and in huge quantities were sent to the army and on the fleet;
- Boken. Wooden training sword. The Japanese belongs to it with no less respect than to real combat weapons.
Making Japanese sword
The hardness and sharpness of Japanese swords are composed of legends, as, however, about the most blacksmith art of the country of the rising sun.
Masters-gunsmiths occupied a high place in the social hierarchy of medieval Japan. The manufacture of a sword was considered spiritual, almost a mystical act, so they were preparing for him, respectively.
Before starting the process, the master spent a lot of time in meditation, he prayed and held the post. Often, the blacksmiths at the time of work put on the vestments of the Shinto Priest or a court ceremonial suit. Before the start of the forging process, the forge was carefully cleaned, her inputs were hung over chambers intended for scaring evil spirits and attracting good. At the time of work, the forge was becoming a sacred place, only the Blacksmith himself and his assistant could go into it. Family members (except for women) during this period the entrance to the workshop was banned, women did not allow women at all to enter the forge, fearing their evil eyes.
During the manufacture of sword, the blacksmith eating food cooked on sacred FireAnd on animal food, strong drinks, as well as sexual contacts, a hard taboo was superimposed.
Metal for the manufacture of cold weapons The Japanese was obtained in Tatar furnaces, which can be called a local variety of ordinary Drafts.
Blines are usually made from two main parts: shells and cores. For the manufacture of a sword shell, a package of iron and high carbon steel is welded. It is repeated and picked up. The main task of the blacksmith at this stage is to achieve homogenization of steel and clean it from impurities.
For the core of the Japanese sword uses soft steel, it is also repeatedly picked up.
As a result, for the manufacture of a sword's workpiece, the master gets two bars, from durable high carbon and soft steel. In the manufacture of rollers from solid steel, a profile is formed in the form of a Latin letter V, which is invested with mild steel. It is somewhat shorter than the total length of the sword and does not reach the tip. There is a more complex manufacturing technology of katana, it consists in the formation of a blade of four bars of steel: from the most solid steel, the edges and cutting edges of the weapon are made, there are several less solid metal on the sides, and the core is made of soft iron. Sometimes Japanese sword is made from a separate piece of metal. After welding parts of the blade, the master forms its cutting edges, as well as the edge.
However, "the main chip" of the Japanese Kuznetsov-gunsmiths is considered to be quenched by a sword. It is the special technique of heat treatment gives Katan its incomparable properties. It is significantly different from similar technologies that were used by the Blacksmiths in Europe. It should be recognized that the Japanese masters advanced to their European colleagues in this matter.
Before hardening, the Japanese blade is covered with special paste made of clay, ash, sand, stone dust. The accurate composition of the paste was held in a strict secret and passed from his father to his son. An important nuance is that the paste is applied to the blade unevenly: a thin layer of substance was applied on the blade and the edge, and on the side faces and volatiles are significantly thicker. After that, the blade was heated to a certain temperature and hardened in water. Sections of the blade, covered with a thicker layer of pasta, cooled slowly and turned out to be softer, and cutting surfaces were obtained with the greatest hardness.
If everything is done correctly, then the blade appears on the blade between the tempered blade area and the rest. It is called Hamon. Another indicator of the quality of the blacksmith was a whiten hue of the Blade's footage, it is called Utsubi.
Further refinement of the blade (polishing and grinding) is usually a special master, whose work is also valued very high. In general, more than ten people can do the manufacture and decoration of the blade, the process is very specialized.
After that, the sword must pass the test, in antiquity they were engaged in specially trained people. Tests were carried out on twisted mats, and sometimes on corpses. Especially honorable was to experience a new sword on a living person: a criminal or prisoner of war.
Only after testing the blacksmith knocks his name on the shank, and the sword is considered ready. Works on the mounting of the handle and gards are considered auxiliary. Handle rods usually shook the skin of the skate and wreated with a silk or leather cord.
Combat qualities of Japanese swords and comparing them with European swords
Today Kana can be called the most popular sword in the world. It is difficult to call another kind of cold weapons around which there is such a number of myths and candid fairy tales. The Japanese sword is called the peak of blacksmith art in the entire history of mankind. However, with such a statement, you can argue.
Studies conducted by experts using the latest methods showed that European swords (including an ancient period) were little less inferior to Japanese counterparts. Steel that European blacksmiths used for the manufacture of weapons were reflected no worse than the material of Japanese blades. They were welded from many layers of steel, had a selective hardening. In the study of European blades, modern Japanese masters were attracted, and they confirmed the high quality of medieval weapons.
The problem is that we have reached very few samples of European blade weapons. Those swords that are found during archaeological excavations are usually in a deplorable state. There are highly revered European swords who survived the centuries and today are in museums in good condition. But they are very small. In Japan, due to a special attitude to cold weapons, a huge number of vintage swords remained, and the state of most of them can be called perfect.
Several words should be said about the strength and cutting characteristics of Japanese swords. Without a doubt, the traditional Katana is an excellent weapon, the quintessence of the centuries-old experience of Japanese gunsmiths and warriors, but it is not capable of cutting "iron as paper". Scenes from movies, games and anime, where the Japanese sword cuts down the stones, lamellar armor or other metal objects should be left on the conscience of the scenarios and directors. Such abilities lie beyond the possibilities of steel and contradict the laws of physics.
If you have any questions - leave them in the comments under the article. We or our visitors will gladly respond to them
"Moti buy a wizard for making MOTO; For rice pellets - go to the pupcoder "
(Japanese proverb)
We can infinitely "dig" in the details of the Japanese sword and ... it will be all interesting. In general, this is a real "Pandora drawer", no wonder the Japanese swords have so many fans. But this is not surprising. Each detail in them is not only functional, but also beautiful. But this is completely difficult to achieve. For this century reflections on the beautiful, comprehension of the measure of things, the ability to feel the material and work with it.
Let's look again at this - a line on the edge, which is called BOSI. How beautiful these waves on polished steel! This is the hardening line also has its own name - Midari Komi, that is, "wavy". Although it would seem to be a completely utilitarian thing. By the way, here we see blade nagging, and not tati or katana.
But in this photo shows the kitxics - actually the edge, hardened part of the blade (Yakiba), and the download line - BOS, separating the tempered blade ha (or ha-squa) from the Blade itself - Ji-Tsuya. It is darker, but the tempered part is brighter and the Japanese, naturally distinguish them. The bright part is called ha-tsyu and it is almost the same as Yakiba. In any case, we will not be mistaken, calling this part of the blade and so, and so. But then the Lycot line is also present - separating the edges and blade. As you can see - everything is very difficult in the Japanese sword. The mass of terms describing the width of the blade (Mihab), its superficial pattern (djihad), the name of the yard of the Blade at the island (Mune-Saki) and so on.
Hand pattern. Over it, the experienced master could recognize the author of the sword, not even reading his signature on the Nagoo shank.
Naturally, the shank blade would Nahonto either also did not have a completely utilitarian detail. In the photo you see such a shank from Blade Vakidzasi with the signature of MEI. Apply notches on the surface of the shank. They also had a special name - Yasuri-ME. There are 13 types of them and they are all not like each other. And they were not just so, but in order to provide a more durable contact of a wooden handle with a shank. The shank could be knocked out the name of the Blacksmith - Kao, "Name with the title" (Juro Mei), if the Blacksmith worked at the court, the age of the blacksmith, his pseudonym, the name of the assistant (Dai Mei), poems (!), Named the temple, which The blade was dedicated, and the test result - how many corpses and how many blows this sword was dissected. It is good that all together it never wrote on one shank. With a dozen hieroglyphs - this is already a big text!
At this photo, a beautiful khamidasi dagger is 25.1 cm long with a Tokugawa clan emblem. Very similar to Tanto ... But not Tanto. The difference in the absence of the zuba. Instead, a small roller and everything. Ko-Gotan with a gravel metal handle is inserted into the sheath. The attention of his blade with a dolt (hee). There were eight types of dollars walking along the entire blade and four dollars at the shank.
Dagger Tanto from the funds of the British Museum disassembled. Blade with a long dol - Kitigai-hee. From left to right: Tsuba, SEPPA, habaki, kary-kogai - divided in the middle of Kogai (it was in the past material), and "Ko-Gotan".
Also, it seems an inconspicuous detail on the blade of the Japanese sword or a dagger, but having important - habaki - the clutch of the blade. Here we see muggy-ano - a hole for the fastening pin.
And here this detail (habaki) is clearly visible, firmly fixed the tsuba.
So habaki looks when this item is removed. But it is interesting - she is not quite smooth. It made embossed strips. What for? For some reason ...
Habaki's coupling is less than artistic advantages, but it is absolutely necessary, and it is on every Japanese sword, dagger and even on a spear. It is a thick clutch made of metal, which is arranged in such a way that its inner side fits tightly to several the last centimeters of the blade of the sword or dagger and also his shank (emerging). She has several functions: First of all, it eliminates the blade of the blade and first of all its tempered part of the surface of the sheath. The singer blade under habaki should be slightly lubricated with oil to protect this place from corrosion. But the main function of habaki is that it is she who allows you to move the return from the blow through Garda Tsubu for the entire handle, and not on the peg of Mercgue, made of bamboo or horns.
Habaki was taken from copper, silver or gold, or gold, or silver foil, as well as foil from Xiaacudo alloy. Its surface is either polished or covered with oblique strokes of the Naco-nuts ("Cat scrapers"). Foil can be decorated with a stamped pattern. Habaki with family surname coat of arms are usually supposed to be a good sword.
Habaki close-up.
Two seppes and zaba. Habaki rested in the SEPPU and thus pressed her to the handle of the Cuka. But not immediately to the handle ...
Sometimes Mont - coat of arms were knocked out on Habaki.
Habaki with smooth polishing.
Directly behind the SEPP, facing the front side to the handle, there was another coupling - feet. The feet covers the handle in the place where it comes into contact with the SEPP. This item is easily removed. But despite all its utilitarian purposes - to strengthen the ends of the handle, it is a small work of art. She is bought in a pair with another detail, which is called Casira (Yap. "Head"). (Walters Art Museum, Baltimore)
Slit for the shank blade in the feet. Since the feet did a separate master (together with Casira), she subscribed to them on the outside, adjacent to the SEPP clutch. (Walters Art Museum, Baltimore)
Hole in the handle for Casira head.
Casira - "Sparrow and Orchid". (Walters Art Museum, Baltimore)
And Futi, and Casira, and the CUB should have been taken in a single style. But this rule was not always respected. Zaba "Hares". (Metropolitan Museum, New York)
Very important thing is a fastening pin of a mug. It was on him that the Japanese sword was held! He does not give the blade falling out of the handle. Material - usually tree (!), Bamboo, but sometimes made from rhino horns. On one side of the handle hidden winding, visible to another.
Menuka - on the contrary - the detail is decorative, but it seems it seems to help the handle tightly. Again, a sign of a good taste of the owner of the sword is the uniform design of Clamp, Ko-Gothan and Menuka actually. Disyo-Sorimono - this is what this complete set for two swords was called. Menuki is attached not only under the braid, but also simply on the handling of the handle.
Tutuka Daggeda Tanto. And on her minekah. All the above-mentioned parts of the rim blade are also clearly visible.
Mainics are large. They were loved to give each other samurai (it is clear that complete with other details). As they say, a trifle - but nice.
Very original dagger Tanto-Yari - "Keepy Dagger" Edo era. All details of Kosirae - Rims are shown: sheath, handle, braid, vari kogai, Gotana.
Dzutte is, in fact, did not dagger, and not a knife, since it has a cylindrical or multifaceted blade without a blade and without the tip. Dzütte was a special Japanese police officer Edo. The clincol with the side hook, they caught the sword of the enemy and thus could snatch it out of her hands or then to break the second blade. The darkness with a colored brush was attached to the rings on the handle, the color of which testified to the rank of a policeman.
Dzpette dagger in the rim of Tanto.
The Japanese adored covers and cases. Before you, a sword case in which he was kept during a trip. Called Katana Dzuzu.
Yes, the Japanese sword is a whole, dive into which it is possible for a long time and ... very deeply. But we are still on this "immersion" until we finish.
