Tsuka-maki End Knot: Omote

WATCH THE URA SIDE VIDEO FIRST!!

A tutorial on how to tie the end knot on the omote (outward facing when worn) side of the tsuka. I used the shoddy red ito because I figured it would be easier to see than all of the dark colors I had laying around.

Go to Tsukamaki.net for great information on tsukamaki! Thomas L. Buck has provided a great resource. ^_^

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Tsuka
• Maki
• Tsukamaki
• Ito
• Silk
• Wrap
• Katana
• Wakizashi
• Tanto
• Samurai
• Ninja
• Sword
• Handle
• Binding
• Japanese

[berg89dk]

I would like to do a wrap on my Bokken. Given the nature of a bokken (which is made in one piece) the handle is not a separate part of the sword. Thusly I can't fold the ito above the handle (as you're doing in this vid w/ the end-knot). If I were to do this on a Bokken, should I do it reversed instead? I.e. with the knot being made at the bottom of the bokken-handle?

I appreciate any helpful responses in advance.

[Hyoujinsama]

@berg89dk You can tie it the same way as this. There is a style known as itomaki-kake no kashira where the ito actually goes over the kashira instead of through it. When you cross from the ura knot to the omote knot, wrap it over the end of the bokken tsuka and make another crossover, then go to the other side and tie the omote knot. Does this make sense?

[kissrdbc]

cool that is awsome

[Hyoujinsama]

Glad you like!

[UnholyChicken]

Hey man, how about that video on how to correctly wear a daisho? <_<

[Hyoujinsama]

Holy smokes...I completely forgot. I'll do that asap.

[onsitesharpening]

Thanks so much it only took an hour to wrap my Tsuka my pointer is to use an end cut (trimmings of Ito) insted of paper that what I did and works great and tapping the knot with a small hammer makes sure the ito dosnt move. but thanks again really helpful wish i could show a pic

[yamid319]

PAPER?? WHY THIS LITTLE PAPER THERE???. Please, ask me.

[xINVISIGOTHx]

last time I tried to do this, I didn't have a needle, and it was REALLY hard

[Falandorn]

Great videos thanks! I can just picture me already extremely flustered puncturing my thumb with the matress needle, the knot unraveling before hurling everything at the wall lol

[ThePupil]

this was a great help, a good step by step tutorial.

[kiminiaitakute]

@berg89dk: That's low-quality shoelace run-of-the-mill ito. Most likely nylon or some other synthetic material. Good for a tutorial, but nothing else. If you want red silk ito, try Japanese Swords Ltd or Ryujin Swords. Simple google search should suffice as well.

[kiminiaitakute]

@irnlxkjoe: Try tsunami ito or silk. If you're not familiar with leather, it's VERY tricky to work with. Plus, sweating during kata/tameshigiri will cause your tsuka to be very slippery. Go tsunami if you want something different but don't want silk.

[kiminiaitakute]

@MARTYSBOATWORLD: I know this is 4 months ago...but here goes. Just do what you did with the needle and thread. Thread it through the kashira; should not be a problem UNLESS the kashira was meant for, say, 7 mm STRETCHED ito, and you have, say 11 mm STRETCHED ito. By "stretched," I mean that if you've got some good quality ito, when you stretch it the width will decrease a few mm.

[WCRGuitarPickups]

I just did my Boken, thank you VERY much for the info, it was very helpful. Since there is no slot at the top, I drilled a hole instead. Came out GREAT !!

Thanx again !!

[WayfinderTerra]

would super glue work to?