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The
blade fit in the scabbard (saya) is deliberately firm to
avoid accidental unsheathing. Do not unsheathe the blade
by simply pulling the handle and the scabbard apart, this
is dangerous and will wear the scabbard throat (koiguchi).
To correctly unsheathe the blade, hold the wrapped section
of the scabbard with the left hand (edge side up) and the
handle with the right hand. With the left thumb push away
the guard (tsuba) away from the throat of the scabbard (Fig.
A shows the Golden Oriole Katana).
When
the friction resistance is broken, slide the blade gently
from the scabbard, making sure the back of the blade, not
the edge, contacts the scabbard during the withdrawal (Fig.
B Golden Oriole Katana). This avoids dulling the blade and
cutting the scabbard.
To re-sheath
the blade, hold the katana handle in the right hand, edge
up, and the scabbard by the wrapped section with the left
hand, making sure that the scabbard is curving in the same
direction as the blade. Carefully insert the tip of the
blade into the throat of the scabbard and gently slide the
scabbard and blade together, again making sure that the
back of the blade, not the edge, is in contact with the
scabbard. Resistance will be felt when the guard is within
about an inch of the scabbard, and a slightly firmer push
will then be needed to fully seat the blade.
Always
store your Katana horizontally with the edge side up. This
prevents the edge from bearing on the scabbard and preserves
the condition of both. If the fit between the Katana and
the scabbard becomes loose, through usage, the fit must
be restored to prevent accidental unsheathing (Picture shows
the Practical Special Katana).
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