Cords On A Japanese Sword's Scabbards Tutorial Series One, Part 1-4

Hello to everyone here at Hisstank!

With the blessing and encouragement of my dear Senpai Daremo, I am posting the first series of tying a cord ("sageo" in Nihonggo) on a Japanese Sword's scabbard. Let's start!

The Basis:


The Sageo in this tutorial is based on the following web page:

The Art of Tsukamaki, by Thomas L. Buck


The Tools:


These are what I have on hand:

Box Cutter
Cigarette Lighter
Small Foldable Scissors
Precision Kit Tweezers
Sand Paper (Grit 600)
Ruler

I forgot to put the a piece of stainless steel pipe that I use as a roller to flatten my cotton bud stems.

The Materials:


In the picture: Tassel Thread - For the Sageo (scabbard cord) 3 Pieces of Tie Wire - For "knitting" needles Cotton Bud Stem - for the Saya (scabbard)


NOTE: I will keep referring to this thread in subsequent series for ease of posting pictures as to the materials and tools I use.


Step 1:


Sand the cotton bud stem for the paint to stick well. Flatten it with anything that may be used as some sort of rolling pin. I use a piece of stainless steel pipe I got lying around the house. Bend the stem slightly for ease of the blade to be sheathed in it. The aluminum blade is rigid enough to retain its curve and the cotton bud stem is flexible enough to accommodate the slight curve of the blade. I use the metric system when I do my measurements. Cut the "Kurikata" (scabbard knob) on the stem. It should be 7 mm. away from where you want the scabbard mouth. The knob should be 1 mm. wide. Stick a tack (similar to the one in this picture) to the resulting hole made when you cut the knob ad pull it just enough away from the stem, taking care that the knob will not snap away from the stem.

Go to Part 2

Step 2:


Using a cigarette lighter, light the ends of the tassel thread. Pinch and pull the lit ends while still hot so that the fiber will melt and will be thin enough to "thread" through the Kurikata on the cotton bud stem. Strip the tie wires and loop them as shown. The resulting loop must be wide enough to thread the tassel thread in. The looped end of the wire is around 1.5 cm.


Step 3:


Thread the tassel thread through the Kurikata. Use a tack if threading is difficult but taking care that the fibers on the thread are not ruined.


Step 4:


Note the position of the "knitting needles". They will be tied down by the thread as you proceed with the "knitting".


Step 5:


Cross the ends of the thread as shown: The right end going over the left end.

Go to Part 3

Step 6:


Hold the needles, stem and thread as shown. The end of the thread to the left should be looped as shown.


Step 7:


Note that the end should go between the needles and the stem then through the thread loop formed from under the stem then above the needles.


Step 8:


The thread end then goes between needles and the stem.

Step 9:


Again, the thread end finally goes through the thread loop.

Go to Part 4

Step 10:


The final loop formed should be pulled to hold the needles and the stem. The loop should be snug but not too tight.


Step 11:


You should be able to form three similar loops on each side of the Kurikata. Notice that the Kurikata holds the Sageo on the Saya in place. Again, the loops should be pulled to hold the needles and stem snug but not too tight. As you get to make more loops, the length of the thread shortens. Keep a pair of precision kit tweezers similar to that in the picture to be able to pull the loops as the length of the thread shortens and the loops become narrow.


Step 12:


The left and right ends of the thread are then threaded through the left and right loops of the needles, respectively as shown. Carefully pull the needles out one by one, either the left first or the right to form a knot. You should make sure that the knot formed by the thread stays snug and in place as you pull the needles. Pulling the needles through the loops simultaneously does not produce a favorable result.


Step 13:


The final knot should look like so. You may make a knot on each end of the thread or cut them to a desired length and burn the tips to prevent the thread from unraveling.
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Whew! There you have it folks! I know, the pics weren't good but I hope this was helpful. Ask any questions and I will be more than glad enough to answer them whenever I can.

Domo aregato to Senpai Daremo for the inspiration, support and utmost encouragement.

Mabuhay GI Joe Customizers! Ü

Mabuhay Hisstank.com! Ü

Mabuhay GI Joe! Ü

Great tutorial, Marco! As soon as I can get the right materials, I'm making one fit for a Samurai.

Between your swords and scabbards, you do some amazingly detailed work.

I'm looking forward to your next project! ;)

I'd rather just sculpt it lol

Still looks nifty though!

nice!!!!!!!!

COOL!!!
I merged the other 3 threads with this one, if we can keep it to 1 thread per tutorial that would be great, thanks !

Wow! Thank you very much for merging my threads, Triple T! =)

There are still around four more variations of the knots but I'll keep them real brief to save space.

Thank you very much for the complements everyone! =)

Amazing.