Kodzuka construction questions...

R

redivider

Joined
Jun 30, 2002
Messages
7
I hope someone can provide me with a few answers about
kodzuka construction, or refer me to a source which
will.

I am in the process of finishing a kodzuka blade, with
mild and hard steels laminated and finished in the
traditional manner, and now intend to construct the
handle from copper.

I have several excellent references which all show the
handle scales from an overhead (straight on) view.
All pictures I've been able to find on the internet
are from this same perspective.
I need to see the scales from an end view so that the
following questions are answered:

(1) Were the scales constructed in equal halves,
recessed to accept the tang, and soldered together?

(2) Or, were the scales inlaid into a frame of some
type?

(3) I have been told that to secure the blade's tang
within the handle, the tang was simply bent slightly
at the center and pushed into the handle, friction
being the only force which held the two pieces
together.
Is this the case? Were pins or glue ever used?

Any advice you guys could supply on this matter will be
greatly appreciated and put to use.
 
So....
No one reading this post has ever seen a traditional japanese kodzuka, the "side knife" which fits into the scabbard (or saya) of a katana or wakizashi...
 
You might ask in the sword forum. There are some people there who seem to know their way around japanese cutlery.
 
Hi,
Welcome to the forums. I have only looked at kozuka that were on display at various shows. I have never seen any that looked like they were pinned in place. Likewise, I have never seen the tangs of kogatana pierced for pins either.

As to construction, here is the only information that I have found about it. There is contact information on the page as well.

It sounds like you have a lot of info already, however you might enjoy these sites:
http://www.ncjsc.org/gloss_kozuka.htm

http://www.aoi-art.web.sh.cwidc.net/fittings/kozuka/main.html

http://www.ricecracker.com/kozuka/kozuka.htm

http://www.nipponto.com/Tosogu/detailkozukalobs.html

http://www.mukashiya.com/kozuka.html

http://www.aoi-art.web.sh.cwidc.net/fittings/kanagu/main.html

http://www.yokosha.co.jp/~fujiyasu/english/e_komono.html

Regards,
Greg
 
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