This note addresses the variations that exist among shin-gunto tsuba and the variety and number of seppa. (No “S” sound to indicate plurals in Japanese.)
Shin-gunto may have from four (4) to eight (8) seppa. The seppa on each side of the tsuba will be decorated with four extensions each having a boar’s eye (heart-shaped) cut-out. Oval seppa in descending order of size follow. Typically, the seppa with the boar’s eye cut outs is made of copper and finished with the same brown coating used
in the recessed areas of
shin-gunto fittings. Rarely, brass is used. The next seppa is finished in shakudo; the next, brass; and the next, aluminum or silver plate. All shin-gunto have at least the boar’s eye seppa and the aluminum (or silver plated) seppa.
Don’t stop reading until you get to the end if interested in ways to tell a
righteous
koshirae from a put-together one.
The first photo shows six original and authentic shin-gunto tsuba.
Top left: Pierced tsuba cut for a scabbard lock in the 4 to 5 o’clock position.
Top center: Pierced tsuba cut for a scabbard lock in the 3 o’clock position.
Top right: Solid tsuba cut for a scabbard lock in he 5 o’clock position.
Bottom left: Solid tsuba cut for a leather tab and snap retention system.
Bottom center: Rare oversized pierced tsuba cut for a scabbard lock in the 3 o’clock position.
Bottom right: Solid tsuba for use with a shin-gunto that has no sword retention system.
The second photo shows five different original and authentic tsuba/seppa sets.
Top: The outboard seppa are aluminum.
Top center: Six seppa set with boar’s eye seppa, brass seppa, and silver plated seppa. (In spite of extra holes, the set is original to the koshirae on which it was found.)
Center left: The boar’s eye seppa are brass.
Center right: Typical late-war set showing rich color on the boar’s eye seppa.
Bottom: Set with the maximum number of seppa. In this case they are brown, shakudo, brass, and silver plate.
The third photo shows a typical numbering system.
Arabic numerals were used by most fittings makers to identify parts that went
with a particular
koshirae. The numbers are assembly numbers. In this example, 29. I have a koshirae in my collection with matching numbers on the wooden scabbard liner, all eight seppa, the tsuba, the fuchi, the scabbard lock, and the tsuka wooden base.
The fourth photo shows color detail from two of the sets in the second photo.
Top: Rare brass boar’s eye seppa, aluminum seppa.
Bottom: Brown finish boar’s eye seppa, shakudo finish seppa, brass seppa, and silver plated seppa.
As it concerns the tsuba/seppa area, if you suspect a mismatched koshirae, look closely.
(1) Fittings makers were careful to size the outboard seppa (the aluminum or silver plated ones) slightly larger in diameter than the fuchi and kuchigane. In a righteous koshirae, the serrated edge of the seppa adjacent to the kuchigane and the serrated edge of the seppa adjacent to the fuchi will extend beyond the kuchigane and fuchi. This is true for the entire circumference, height and width!
(2) The hole for the tang should be the same size in the fuchi, tsuba, and all seppa. And the fit should be snug on the tang. If numbered, all numbers should match. Most collectors will go to their supply bin to locate replacement parts if
needed.
That is to be expected, and a properly fitted replacement without an attempt at
fakery is OK by most collectors, especially if acknowledged during a sale.
(3) The fuchi and kuchigane usually match fairly well in color. Fuchi color may be slightly more deteriorated from perspiration.
(4) The holes for a latch in the fuchi, seppa, tsuba, and kuchigane should align perfectly and the latch should close with a satisfying “click.”
If this information is useful, please let me know. Also, are there questions and concerns that you would like to see addressed on
this page?
jimdawson@stenger-scott.com
