Sword fittings

Japanese: 刀装 - とうそう

The exterior of a sword, also called koshirae, is essential for carrying and protecting a sword, and there are many different styles and types depending on the status and tastes of the wearer and the ceremonial regulations of the time. As most swords have been excavated from ancient tombs, wooden fittings from ancient times have decayed and are no longer available, and with the exception of a few made of deer antlers (swords with deer antler fittings), all are made of iron or gilt bronze. They can be classified based on the shape of the pommel, and include the ring-headed sword, the kabutchi-style sword, the keito-style sword, the round-headed sword, and the warabide-style sword.

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

刀剣の外装のことで，拵（こしらえ）ともいう。刀剣を身につけるのに，また保護するのに不可欠のものであるが，佩用（はいよう）者の身分や好尚，時代の式制によっていろいろな様式，種類がみられる。古代の刀装は，刀剣のほとんどが古墳からの出土品であるため，木製のものは腐朽して伝わらず，わずかに鹿角製のもの(鹿角装刀剣)があるほかは，すべて鉄あるいは金銅製である。それを柄頭（つかがしら）の形状から分類すると，環頭（かんとう）大刀，頭椎（かぶつち）大刀，圭頭（けいとう）大刀，円頭大刀，蕨手（わらびで）刀などがある。

出典　株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典第２版について　情報

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