Kanji for Tosogû


. . .
阿弥陀鑢
Amida Yasuri
Radiating lines, starting from the center. These have the appearance of sun rays. Amida means Buhhda and Yasuri means file or rasp.
Ana
A hole. e.g. Nakago ana, Hitsu ana, Udenuki ana.
Aoi
A hollyhock.
Bori
Surface carving
Dai
large, as in Daisho (large/small).
土手耳
Dote-mimi
A raised rim onthe mimi, Common on Katchushi tsuba.
Fuchi
Fitting that sits on the end of the tsuka, at the tsuba end.
覆輪
Fukurin
An outer rim cover on a tsuba, usually in Shakado, Gold or some other soft metal.
形 (型)
Gata (Kata)
This means Shape, Maru Gata is Round Shape.
箱書き (はこがき)
Hako-gaki
An inscription sometimes with attribution applied to wooden fittings boxes
色繪
Iroe
Refers to the method of inlaying metal used in pictorial designs, which isof a different colour to the Jigane.
容彫
Katachi Bori
Carved with a full motif.
際端
Kibata
The edge. On menuki, it refers to the edge where you might find a mei.
Kashira
Fitting placed at the end of the tsuka.
銘金象嵌
Kinzogan Mei
Gold mei made by inlay or gold lacquer.
小道具
Kodogu
Litterally small fittings
Kogai
Utility for cleaning ears and scratching the head.
Koshirae
A complete set of fittings fo ra Japanese sword.
小柄
Kozuka
Handel for a utility knife.
耳掻き
Mimikaki
Ear pick. This is the orante curved end of a Kogai, designed to clean wax from the ear.
三所物
Mitokoromono
A set comprising of Kozuka, Kogai and menuki.
目貫
Menuki
Small fittings, placed under or on top of ito or same on a tsuka.
魚子地
Nanako-ji
Nanako are named after fish roe. Small circular lumps in the surface of the fitting. Nanako-ji means a nanako surface (also nanako ground).
朧銀地
Oborogin ji
A hazy silver ground .
Saya
Sacabbard for the sword blade.
赤銅
Shakudo
An alloy comprising of Gold and copper. Polished, it is a rich black with a wonderful lustre.
四分一
Shibuichi
Silver alloyed or coated.
銘朱漆
Shumei
A signature or attribution apllied with red lacquer
高彫色絵
Takabori iroe
鉄骨
Tekkotsu
Mixtures of iron of different qualities produce distinct texture variations that are visible to the rims of the guards. There are three main variations are fine, granular and linear.
Tetsu
Iron.
刀装具
Tosogu
Sword fittings. Includes all forms of koshirae and fittings
Tsuba
Sword Guard
Tsuka
The handle of a Japanese sword.
馬針
Umbari
Literally, horse needle.
うっとり
Uttori
A technique using a thin film of gold.
侘寂
Wabi-sabi
A difficult Japanese concept, Wabi-sabi is an aesthetic sometimes described as one of beauty that is imperfect or incomplete. In tosogu, and for the most part tsuba, Wabi-sabi is a sense of a look more natural than man made. Like it was made by nature.
山銅
Yamagane
Unrefined Copper. This copper was made in times when the refining process was not as good as it is now. Other impurities are mixed in. The colur is deeper than modern Copper.
Zu
Figure or theme.
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