Читать книгу Mastering the Samurai Sword - Cary Nemeroff - Страница 11
ОглавлениеChapter 3
Knowing the Sword
To “know” one’s samurai sword can be understood in two different ways. On a philosophical, theoretical level, knowing one’s sword means to merge with one’s sword as if it were an extension of one’s own body. Via regular conditioning, consisting of katas and free-form practice, the samurai swordsman begins to merge with his sword. The sword responds to the swordsman in a manner similar to that in which the limbs of the body move, with almost no conscious effort. This level of instantaneous and unthinking action is commonly referred to as mushin (“no-mindedness”). To know the samurai sword in this way reflects mastery of the samurai sword art.
Another way in which one can know the samurai sword is to consider how we relate to it as a tool, on the physical level. In this respect, we become acquainted with the samurai sword as we become acquainted with any other device that has utilitarian value for us. Knowing the physical characteristics of the samurai sword allows us to exploit it, maintain it, and repair it when necessary—an imperative for the bushi in any era. As with any new relationship (human or material), I advocate getting acquainted with the subject prior to practice. Thus, samurai sword nomenclature and maintenance are prerequisites for coming to know the sword.
The Parts of
the Samurai Sword
| KATANA NOMENCLATURE | ||
| 1. | Saya | Scabbard |
| 2. | Sageo | Rope |
| 3. | Kurigata | Knob that holds the sageo (2) |
| 4. | Koiguchi | Open end (mouth) of the saya (1) |
| 5. | Kojiri | The butt cap of the saya (1) |
| 6. | Tsuka | Hilt |
| 7. | Tsuka-ito | Cord wrapped around the tsuka (6) |
| 8. | Menuki | Ornaments that enhance grip |
| 9. | Mekugi | Tsuka (6) retaining (bamboo) peg |
| 10. | Mekugi-ana | Peg hole in tsuka (6) |
| 11. | Fuchi-gane | Cover at open end of tsuka (6) |
| 12. | Kashira | Butt cap on end of tsuka (6) |
| 13. | Samei | Ray skin that covers the wood of the tsuka (6) |
| under the tsuka-ito (7) | ||
| 14. | Tsuba | Hand guard |
| 15. | Seppa | Washers protecting the tsuba (14) |
| and fuchi-gane (11) | ||
| 16. | Habaki | Collar for the blade |
| The Tang | ||
| 17. | Nakago | Underside of tang (unsharpened metal area of the sword) |
| 18. | Hitoe | Upper portion of tang |
| 19. | Nakago-jiri | Butt of tang |
| 20. | Mekugi-ana | Peg hole |
| 21. | Mune-machi | Notch—merge of mune (30) and hitoe (18) |
| 22. | Ha-machi | Notch—merge of ha (24) and nakago (17) |
| 23. | Mei | Swordsmith’s inscription |
| The Blade | ||
| 24. | Ha | Cutting edge |
| 25. | Hamon | Temper line |
| 26. | Yakiba | Tempered portion of blade |
| 27. | Jigane | Area between the hamon (25) and the shinogi (28) |
| 28. | Shinogi | Longitudinal ridge located above the jigane (27) |
| 29. | Shinogi-ji | Area located between the shinogi (27) and mune (30) |
| 30. | Mune | Back of blade |
| 31. | Hi | Blood-groove |
| 32. | Kissaki | Upper portion of pointed blade-end |
| 33. | Fukura | Cutting part of the kissaki (32) |
| 34. | Boshi | Tempered part of the kissaki (32) |
| 35. | Yokote | Latitudinal line that separates the ha (24) from the fukura (33) |
| 36. | Mitsukado | Junction of the shinogi (24), ko-shinogi (38) and yokote (35) |
| 37. | Monouchi | Maximum striking area of the ha (24) |
| 38. | Ko-shinogi | Extension of the shinogi (28) beyond the yokote (35) |
THE SWORD MAINTENANCE KIT
| 1. Uchiko | Powder hammer |
| 2. Washi | Cleaning cloth |
| 3. Mekuginuki | Small brass hammer |
| 4. Oil cloth | For applying oil to the samurai sword |
| 5. Choji oil | Oil for use with the samurai sword |
An essential accompaniment to any samurai sword is the sword maintenance kit. It is a multipurpose tool that enables the user to clean the sword and dismantle it in a safe manner, without damaging the hardware or the sword’s intricate components. Like an improperly maintained aircraft that might experience mechanical failure during flight and endanger the lives of its passengers, a samurai sword that is poorly maintained might lose its functionality and put its owner at risk. Hence, it was historically imperative for the samurai that his honor- and life-preserving sword be kept in an optimal working state. Neglecting to do so was a serious matter, because it could impair the samurai’s performance and consequently result in a dishonorable death. Proper maintenance of the sword is no less important today. To ignore it is to invite serious physical injury.
MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR GUIDELINES
The following are guidelines for regular maintenance of the samurai sword. As a general rule, before and after every use, perform these procedures in order to achieve maximum functionality and longevity of the sword.
