latch?

Hi IM reading the book Ryoma, in this book that IM almost half through I read them refer to latches on the swords Did they have latches like WW2 katanas I never saw a sword and lacquer saya fitted with a latch Thanks Walt


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Ive seen latches on some shirasaya katanas and wakazashis.. and also, Ive seen refference to having small knives in the saya of their katanas..

Wilson


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--------- Original Message ---------
DATE: Sun, 27 Jul 2003 08:48:51
From: "O'Keefe" <Viva77@...>
To: <samuraihistory@yahoogroups.com>
Cc:

Hi IM reading the book Ryoma, in this book that IM almost half through I read them refer to latches on the swords Did they have latches like WW2 katanas I never saw a sword and lacquer saya fitted with a latch Thanks Walt


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I noted that too. A latch very much like that on Gunto was
occasionally seen on tanto especially ones with metal saya. Satsuma
dandies liked to flaunt their "manly hot-headedness" by sporting
cords that tied the tsuka to the saya. These prevented the sword from
being drawn except with the most deliberate effort. Suggesting to
some that you better not get the man angry...
The koiguchi or opening on a proper saya should be airtight,
to prevent moisture getting in the scabbard and keep ones sword from
falling out. In the movies there is often an audible "Click" when
this seal is broken. I imagined this is what the writer meant and it
helped keep my mental images "honest."
I believe the writer went to great pains to make his book
ENGLISH. Thus he used English terms whereever possible, even in cases
where the Japanese term is widely used. While I applaud his efforts,
I found this one of the most annoying aspects of his style and it
detracted greatly from the book for me.

-t

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