Tsuka mounting question

[Sid C]

Hello,

I am a novice in iaido and would appreciate any experienced thoughts regarding my query.

I have recently aquired a beautiful new Nosyuiaido live blade with very some impressive fittings. However, a few days after taking delivery, I brought it out for a little work out (not involving any target) and noticed a very minute but noticable movement between the tsuka and the nakago. This only happens during full force up/down strokes. My question is whether this is normal or not. As far as I was informed, this blade has a full tang with one mekugi.

I have never removed a tsuka. Are there pitfalls to this operation? Are there shims that will fall out everywhere?

Thanks in advance for any response.

 

[Triton]

I'm not an expert on Japanese swords but I feel pretty confident in saying that you should not feel anything moving around on you.

 

[GARY B]

I agree with TRITON. There should be no movement in the handle under any conditions. An additional seppa in front of the fuchi should take up that little bit of slack. From the sound of things it will only need to be very thin to accomplish its task.

Removing the tsuka is fairly simple if you pay close attention to what you're doing. Remove the mekugi and give the tsuba a front to back twist and the tsuka will come loose and come off the sword with the fuchi still attached to the front. The seppa are basically washers and will be one in front and in back of the tsuba. With patience and a fair amount of effort you can make a seppa from a thin sheet of brass. Or you could order one from Fred Lohman

I would recommend getting one of the sword maintenance kits also that contains, among other things, a small mallet for removing the mekugi.
Hope this helps.

 

[Sid C]

I got a hold of Rick, the president of Nosyuiaido and he explained that it could be a shim issue with what is called tsukagata with a flexing between the tsuka and the nakago. Probably in the change of climate and/or moisture between here and there the wood contracted or expanded. Does anyone have more information about this "tsukagata"?

Thanks,
Sid