Traditionally, the construction of a katana has been such that the tang (nakago) slipped through a ferrule (habaki) then through a spacer (seppa) then through the guard (tsuba) and back through another spacer before fitting into a slot in the tsuka, or hilt.
The tang was secured in the tsuka with a peg known as a mekugi. This configuration is considerably different from swords of the west, in which the tang was typically peened over the top of the pommel, securing it in place.
Whereas the western configuration is exceptionally strong, the Japanese alternative allows the sword to be broken down to its constituent components very easily, which streamlines not only maintenance and transportation, but also storage.
This brings something interesting to light – the ”wooden handle” katana, more properly known as a shirasaya (“white scabbard” in Japanese) – which is not exactly a katana in the proper sense of the word, but a solution for storage and transportation.
About the Function of the Shirasaya
Calling the shirasaya a “wooden handle” katana is a bit of a misnomer because when the blade was stored in the shirasaya, it was not intended to see combat.
The blade was secured in the hilt of the shirasaya with a mekugi, just as it would be fully dressed, but without any of the other trappings, importantly, the tsuba, which would protect a warrior’s hands during battle.
So what was the purpose?
Well, the wooden sheath and handle of the shirasaya provided a protective covering for the katana’s blade, which could help seal out oxygen (helping to prevent corrosion to the blade) while also protecting the tang.
Thus it was much better and safer for the blade to be stored thus than it would be to hang a “naked” blade. The configuration afforded by the shirasaya also made it easy for an owner to access the blade (or to remove it for easy access to the tang) to oil or otherwise maintain it.
Since the shirasaya fully enclosed both the sheath and tang, it was also a matter of protection, as it could be easily and safely stored (or moved) with minimal risk to handlers.
The shirasaya also played an important role in the process of manufacturing a katana. In the high era in which these swords were used, practitioners often spent a lifetime mastering their craft. This meant that the smiths that actually forged and tempered the blades would not make the rest of the components for an assembled sword. They would make the blade, outfit it in a shirasaya, and ship it off to other craftsmen to be fitted with a hilt, sheath and other trappings.
On top of that, the shirasaya neither protected a user’s hands nor provided an adequate grip, as would be offered by the cloth or rayskin wrappings of the tsuka of a katana arrayed for combat. As a result, it is highly unlikely that a shirasaya ever saw such. It is certain, at the very least, that this is not the design.
All the same, the shirasaya offers an aesthetically appealing configuration, especially dressed with an attractive species of wood, which makes it popular for collectors and others that would display it in their homes. That is the reason the “wooden handle” katana has made such an impression on the mind.
Where to Learn More About These “Wooden Handle” Katanas
While these so-called “wooden handle” katanas are not intended to be used for swordplay, they are an indelible aspect of Japonaiserie. If you’re interested in learning more about them – or getting one for yourself, visit True Swords, where you will find a wide range of Japanese blades, many of them battle ready.
