This beautiful Kanbun shinto sword was sold at the Unique Japan Kamakura Sword Show in February 2011. According to its NBTHK Hozon certificate the sword is attributed to swordsmith Iehira in the Kaga Province.

As with many top quality swords in Japan, this particular sword was housed only in a beautiful custom-made shirasaya (white scabbard).

It is actually quite common to find swords without the traditional koshirae mounts that most Westerners associate the Japanese sword with. This is because the silk woven on the hilt and lacquered wood will last for about 100 years, after which it weakens and should be replaced.

Therefore, it is increasingly difficult to find decent koshirae from the Edo period (before 1868) that still looks good and not too fragile.

A shirasaya, literally “white scabbard”, is a wooden Japanese blade mount consisting of a saya (scabbard) and tsuka (hilt), traditionally made of made of honoki (magnolia wood) – a type of wood generally found only in Japan.

A shirasaya is like a pair of pajamas, or sleeping wear for the Japanese sword. When not carried in public or on the battlefield by their Samurai owner, Japanese swords are rested and kept in their shirasaya. Therefore, Japanese swords are meant to have two sets of furniture; one set for resting, and one for battle or daytime use.

The need for an actual specialized storage device was because prolonged koshirae mounting actually harmed the blade, owing to factors such as the lacquered wood retaining moisture and encouraging corrosion. A shirasaya is always custom-made by a skilled craftsman to house a particular sword, even to this very day.

A custom made koshirae using Edo-period pieces (140 years old or older) was produced by Unique Japan for our client to house this beautiful blade.

The general requirements from our client were as follows:
- A tsuba (guard) with a ‘dragon’ theme to it
- A set of menuki (ornaments under the silk hilt) that were of dragonflies
- A fuchi-kashira (collar and pommel) that matched the above
- Everything else was left to the creativity of the Japanese craftsman!

The results speak for themselves. The menacingly powerful dragon tsuba (guard), courageous dragonfly menuki, and prosperous bamboo shoots fuchi-kashira (collar and pommel) are all antiques from the Edo period. All other components of the koshirae were made by a modern-day artisan using traditional techniques.

A custom koshirae project is very rewarding because just like a Samurai, you can put your own personal stamp on the sword. Samurai (especially high-ranking Samurai) often had a number of koshirae made for their favorite swords.

Plus by creating a koshirae, we are supporting the modern-day craftsmen and women that carry on these marvelous handmade centuries-old traditions. Several hours of full concentration and attention to detail are put into the making of each koshirae.

The cost to make a custom koshirae generally ranges from 150,000 yen to 300,000 yen. The main driving factor in determining the final price are the individual pieces that make up the koshirae. Antique pieces usually cost more than those made today.

If a client wishes to use only modern-made pieces for the tsuba, menuki and fuchi-kashira, then the cost will be about 150,000 yen. Click here for an example of a koshirae made with all modern pieces.

For a project such as this one featured on this page, the investment is about 250,000 yen because of the rarity and beauty of the antique pieces. A custom koshirae project takes about 2-3 months to complete.

We’d be more than delighted to make this dream a reality for you.

In order for us to create a custom koshirae for you, you’ll need to invest in a sword with a shirasaya scabbard only. First, visit our collection to see what is currently available.

If nothing in particular grabs you, we can always search for a sword in Japan that matches your taste and budget. We thrive on hunting down the best pieces for our clients!

Contact Unique Japan to get started!

This is the finished result. A beautiful custom-made koshirae.

A reverse view of the koshirae

A close-up view of the silk sageo (ronin musubi knot).
Note the sharkskin wrapped scabbard.

This is the awesome ‘dragon’ tsuba (guard) that was found.
Note: Japanese dragons have 3 claws, Chinese have 4.

A reverse view of this amazing tsuba (it’s over 150 years old).

The hilt. Ray skin for the handle, newly hand-woven silk, dragonfly menuki.
Click image for a really CLOSE-UP view.

A reverse view.

This is the sword’s habaki (blade collar). This was original to the sword.
It is made of copper, and well over 150 years old.

The silk bag that holds the koshirae. Each project has an original bag.

The blade by swordsmith Iehira. Note the three holes in the tang.
This suggests the sword was shortened from it’s original length of about 10 cm longer.

Reverse view.

The sword’s registration card or torokusho.

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