How to Make a Samurai Sword Handle

Samurai swords have long represented Japanese tradition.

A Samurai sword is fine piece of work that has a long and rich history. If you want to make your own sword following that rich tradition, you will have to commit to each aspect of sword making. When you being to wrap the handle, it is useful to become familiar with a few Samurai terms. Ito is the cloth braid you will use to wrap the handle. You will also have to know that there are two sides to the handle, the side that faces you, Ura, and the side that faces away from you, Omote.

Things You'll Need

• Cloth braid, ito
• Samurai sword handle
• Mattress needle
• Strong thread
• Scissors
• Rice glue

Instructions

Ito Wrapping

1. Fold the cloth braid ito in half lengthwise to find the center.

2. Place the center of the ito against the middle of the base of the handle. You can start from either side of the handle.

3. Hold the handle so the base is facing upward and the cloth braid is facing downward.

4. Bring the left side of the ito around to the front of the handle so it lies horizontally and hold it in the middle of the handle with your thumb.

5. Bring the right side of the braid to the front as well and hold it next to the other side of the braid.

6. Twist the left braid twice and pull it down and to the right of the handle. Hold it in place with your thumb.

7. Do the same thing to the right braid, but pull it down and to the left side of the handle.

8. Hold the braid in place with one hand and turn the handle so you can see the second side.

9. Bring the braids around the handle and twist them the same way you did on the other side.

10. Keep turning the handle and alternate twisting the braids on each side until the entire handle is covered with the twisted cloth braid.

Knotting the Ura Side

1. Thread a mattress needle with strong thread.

2. Put the needle through the end of one of the sides of ito. Pass the needle through under the last set of twists on the ura side of the handle, pulling the ito with it. The needle should go in between the last and second-to-last sets of twisted ito and come out at the top of the handle.

3. Do the same to other end of the ito, so both pieces end up at the top of the handle.

Knotting the Omote Side

1. Put the needle through one end of the ito and pull it from the ura side over the top of the handle to the omote side. Pass the needle under the top set of twisted ito, pulling the threaded ito under it.

2. Trim the ito with scissors so it is short enough to wrap just around the middle of the twisted ito.

3. Put rice glue on the loose end of the ito and wrap it around the horizontal ito, pushing it underneath to hide the end.

4. Feed the needle through the other loose end of the ito and pull it over the handle. Pass the needle under the glued ito so that it comes out down to the left of the glued ito.

5. Fold the threaded ito in half, so it is half as wide as was before.

6. Feed the needle under the glued ito and pull it out so it comes out up and to the right of the glued knot.

7. Cut the loose end so it is just long enough to pass horizontally across the handle.

8. Put glue on the end of the ito and tuck it in behind the knotted ito. Let the glue dry before attaching the handle to the blade.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice wrapping the handle several times before gluing the ito in place to make sure the handle is wrapped tight enough.

• Do not leave a sharp Samurai sword anywhere a child can get to it.

References

• Prodigy: The Art of Tsukamaki
• You Tube: Tsuka-maki Basic Ito Wrapping Tutorial
• You Tube: Tsuka-maki End Knot Ura
• You Tube: Tsuka-maki End Knot Omote