Japanese sword mountings#Shirasaya

Shirasaya (Japanese白 鞘shirasaya, such as " white scabbard ") is a undecorated mount from Saya and Tsuka for Katana, Wakizashi, Tanto, Tachi, Yari and Naginata.

Description

Initially, these were used to store a unmonierte blade. As the saya of the carried on the road Koshirae mount the Shirasaya Magnolia wood (保 木) was made ​​, but not subsequently treated. Since this had better breathability result, you saved later, the Katana at night in Shirasaya on to prevent the blades "sweat", that is, it should be prevented that the humidity of the room in which the blade was kept, was reflected on the blade, leading to rust. The wood of the Shirasaya took up the moisture.

Magnolia was used because the wood has a very low acidity and nothing else secretes what damage the blade. Good wood should be deposited at least 10 years, so it does not deform after processing. The complete Shirasaya regalia without Tsuba (Guard ) or other decor, such as those often found in Premium plus use today, was first used in the late 19th century by the imperial ban on edged weapons, as such Shirasaya Katana resembles a harmless bokuto, a practice sword made ​​of wood. Some versions have wooden blades that are kept in the Shirasaya if the sword is carried in the normal mount.

Furthermore Shirasaya will also be happy labeled with information about the included blade. As " Sayagaki " an opinion about who has the blade where and when forged, and the name of the appraiser is written.