Metal Parts (Kanagu)
 

Introduction   Mounting Terms   Blade Holder   Tassel   Color   Examples   Epilogue   Shop

 
 
 
ARMY

Kanagu : (Tsuka parts = Kabuto-gane, Fuchi / Saya parts = Kuchi-gane, Chiyokan, Seki-gane, Ishi-zuki)
                 Material is brass, quality and shape are different based on manufactured companies.
                 Early version : High quality and thick cast kanagu.
                 Middle version : Shallow cast kanagu due to mass-production
                 Later version : Many parts were omitted due to the lack of material. Leather covered saya was used.

Tsuba : Sukashi tsuba (Early version, General's) Brass cast. Bigger and flamboyant.
              Normal (Middle - Later version) Brass, different quality case by case.
 

NAVY

Kanagu : (Tsuka parts = Kabuto-gane, Fuchi / Saya parts = Kuchi-gane, 1st and 2nd chiyokan, Seki-gane, Ishi-zuki)
                 Material is brass. Less manufactured rather than army. Limited manufactured companies.
                 Except marine force or later version, the difference of quality is minor compared to army's.

Tsuba : Only one kind made in brass.
 

Common Features

Sarute : Cast : Different qualities by the extent of takahori skill. Made in brass.
              Wire: Low quality, installed in later version. Made in iron or brass.

Menuki : Thin brass sheet : Different qualities based on manufactured companies.

The quality of metal parts can be evaluated if Kuchi-gane or Ishi-zuki have screws on them. If the material is thick cast, screws were needed. Otherwise, they were attached by glue or pressure in the case of thin cast materials.
 


     Sarute : Good, Medium, Low quality          Medium quality sarute                High quality sarutes
 
 

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