ART AND DESIGN IN JAPANESE SWORD FITTINGS Part 2 The history of Japanese sword making extends for well over a thousand years. They have always been highly prized in Japan, and a surprising number of the swords produced over that millennium exist today in collections in many countries. By W T L Taylor tsuba
kurigata
menuki
kashira
fuchi
kogai (kozuka on opposite side)
kojiri
The first of these articles examined the significance of Japanese art in tsubas (hand guards). This second article offers a brief survey of the miniature art to be found in other main fittings on a typical antique Japanese sword. As with tsubas, the smaller sword fittings are also canvases for Japanese art and design. They should complement each other on a sword, but other than the matched pair that makes up the hilt end cap and the base collar, do not have to be made by the same craftsman. What is more important is that all the fittings on any sword work together in accordance with Japanese taste.
Fuchi and kashira The hilt of a sword has an oval cap (kashira) on the end and a collar (fuchi) at the tsuba end. Both pieces are made by the same craftsman as a matching set. The design on a fuchi and and its kashira is oriented so it is properly appreciated when the sword is being worn. For fuchi, the main design is always located on the side facing out from the wearer.
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