What is a Tsuba? Katana Handle/Hilt

The tsuka, or handle of a sword, plays a vital role in its functionality and aesthetics. A well-designed handle must offer a comfortable grip, ensuring that it is neither too thick nor too thin. The thickness directly affects the user’s ability to control and apply force effectively. Similarly, the handle’s length impacts the sword’s overall balance, which is crucial for achieving harmony between power and speed—a challenge for any sword wielder. While powerful strikes may sacrifice speed, swift movements often lack force. Thus, a well-crafted tsuka strikes the delicate balance between these opposing elements.

What is Tsuka Made of?

Beyond functionality, the tsuka reflects the warrior’s personality and aesthetic taste. Constructing it is a meticulous process: two pieces of wood are first wrapped around the blade’s tang, followed by a layer of ray skin (commonly referred to as sharkskin), and then bound with silk cord. Though this may sound straightforward, every step requires the expertise of skilled artisans, making the process an intricate art form.

Ray Skin

Despite its name, ray skin is entirely distinct from sharkskin. It is derived from rays native to regions spanning the East China Sea to the South China Sea, typically about 1.5 feet in length. Their skin is covered with sharp, stone-like granules that range in size from rice grains to small pearls. Naturally beige, the skin can be dyed in various colors to suit individual preferences.

The granules are polished to prevent injury while maintaining a textured surface that provides a secure grip, reducing the chance of the sword slipping during combat. This rough texture, combined with silk cord wrapping, absorbs sweat and minimizes friction, ensuring both functionality and comfort.

One unique feature of ray skin is the central “pearl” granule, a prominent and valuable element surrounded by smaller granules that create a “moon and stars” pattern. Each skin has only one of these pearl-like granules, making this central section the most prized and expensive part.

Tsuka-Maki (Handle Wrapping)

The silk or leather cord wrapping over the ray skin is called tsuka-maki, and it adds both functionality and decorative elegance to the handle. High-quality tsuka-maki is often handcrafted using silk cords with intricate brocade patterns. The most luxurious designs, typically in golden-yellow, are reserved for ceremonial swords like tachi displayed in palaces or shrines.

There are over a dozen distinct wrapping styles, each with its own aesthetic and practical appeal. Some swords, such as tantō, forgo tsuka-maki entirely, relying solely on the polished ray skin. This minimalist style is known as same-kawa.

It was common for samurai to own multiple tsukas for a single sword, swapping them out to match different occasions or outfits—a practice that blended practicality with fashion, reflecting the samurai’s refined taste and attention to detail.

This rich interplay of craftsmanship, utility, and artistry highlights the tsuka’s significance in both combat and cultural expression