THE URA AND OMOTE RIBS OF JAPANESE SABERS

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HOW TO IDENTIFYA TACHI OR A KATANA DEPENDING ON THE SIGNATURE ON THE NAKAGO

 

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The term “Omote” designates the visible side, therefore exterior, while the term “Ura” designates the hidden side, therefore the interior.

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DETERMINING THE URA AND OMOTE SIDE OF A SABER

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Tachi and Katana are carried on the left, but with the cutting edge pointing in opposite directions.

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FOR TACHI

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From the beginning of the Heian period until most of the Muromachi period (between the 9th and 15th centuries), the sword was a commonly used weapon of war.

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The armor made it difficult to draw a sword and for this reason they wore it withcutting edge pointing down. The saber could then be drawn simply by extending the arm forward.

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The Samurai, in full armour, traditionally wore on the left, a saber (Tachi) hanging from a cord attached to the waist withcutting edge pointing downand the forward-facing Kashira. If we stand to the left of the Samurai, we only see the side of the sword, so it'sthe Omote side, or visible side, the other side close to the belly, isthe Ura side, or hidden side.

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Tachi Mei:place your sword in front of you, point up, cutting edge (Ha) to your right, if you see the signature, it's the Ura side of a Tachi blade.

 

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FOR KATANAS

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After the Japanese government stabilized, open warfare became less common. At the end of the centuries of civil war, most Samurai of the 16th century and later went about their business, dressed not in armour, but in Kimono, their swords held by an Obi (belt).

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The Katana is worn on the left hip, inserted into an Obi and is traditionally worn withthe cutting edge pointing upwards. Ia Tsuba is located in front of the navel. If we stand in front, we only see the left side of the Tsuka and therefore of the sword,this is the Omote side, or visible side, the other side close to your belly, isthe Ura side, or hidden side.

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Katana Mei: place your saber in front of you, point in the air, cutting edge (Ha) to your left, if you see the signature, it isthe Omote side of a blade ofKatana.

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THE URA AND OMOTE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE TSUKA

 

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On a Tsuka, the Ura and Omote sides have their unique characteristics.The placements of the Oyatsubu and the specific knots on each side are examples of the many hidden details of Japanese swords.

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Omote:

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The Omote side of a Tsuka is often the most aesthetic, because it is visible.

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This side of the Tsuka is generally covered with a 1st quality ray skin where you can sometimes see a large nodule of emperor ray skin (Oyatsubu) with other smaller nodules, which are_cc781905-5cde-3194- bb3b-136bad5cf58d_ placed under the last Hishigata (diamond shape) of the braiding.

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The most beautiful ornaments of the Fuchi, are also placed on the Omote side. 

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Ito Maki No Katana braiding begins and ends with the 2nd knot, Omote side.

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Ura:

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Ray skin on the Ura side is generally of poorer quality and does not have large nodules.

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Only the 1st knot of the Ito Maki No Katana braiding is done on the Ura side.

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