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Attaching Tachi Fittings to Saya

Japanese swords are a collectible item for many people. These swords are sometimes authentic historic relics that people collect because of the value they hold. Others simply collect them for the way they look. Others even make their own. Two styles of Japanese swords are common, the Tachi and Katana. The Tachi also refer to the hooks or loops on the sheath that hold the sword in place. If your Tachi-style swords lacks these loops, you can add them yourself.

Things You'll Need

Tachi fittings
Pencil
Liquid adhesive
Pliers
Rubber bands

Instructions

- 1
  Recognize the difference between the Tachi and Katana swords. Recognizing the difference has an impact on how you design the sheath of the sword. The saya is the sheath of the sword, and it is worn differently in the Tachi and Katana sword styles. In the Katana style, the sword is inserted into a waist belt, and there is no need to attach the Tachi. However, the Tachi sword is so named because the Tachi are there to connect a strap that allows the sword and saya to hang like a sling around the waist. The blade for the Tachi sword faces downward, whereas the Katana blade faces upward.
- 2
  Wrap the Tachi fitting around the shaft of the saya. Where you attach the fittings is important because the sword must be drawn out of the sheath properly to avoid injury. The fittings should be placed about about 3 inches apart about one-third of the way down the saya, with the sword still inserted. If the sword is removed, the fittings are only about 2 inches away from the open end of the sheath. Keeping the sword in the saya will give you a better gauge of where to place the fittings.
- 3
  Make small marks on the saya with a pencil indicating where the Tachi fittings will go. Slide the fittings down to the middle of the saya so that they are out of the way. Place a small amount of liquid adhesive that will bond metal and wood in between the marks for each of the fittings. Make a ring of the adhesive that goes all the way around the sheath.
- 4
  Move the fittings back to their original position, being careful to not spread the adhesive as you do. Squeeze the fittings into place with a pair of pliers. Do this as gently as possible so that you don't squeeze the saya to the point that it breaks or collapses. Place rubber bands around the fittings to hold them in place while the adhesive dries.

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