Shortening the tsuka?

[Haowen]

Hi, I'm using the regulation adult male 39 shinai, but the tsuka is too long for my puny arms. I need to pull it back an inch or two to keep the tsuba close.

Anyone have any idea how to do this? Thank you! :)

[Neil Gendzwill]

Easy way: get a 38 tsuka-gawa (handle leather) instead of a 39.

Hard way: take the tsuka-gawa off the tsuka. Take apart the top part of it by removing the leather thong that threads it all together. Unroll the top. Cut off however much you need. Roll it back again. Punch holes in it to accept the thong. Thread the thong back through it. Reassemble.

[Haowen]

Thanks Neil, I'll give it a try next time I oil my shinai. :)

[amatsuda]

Haowen:

Easy way...go to e-bogu.com and buy the tsuka for $9.99 or pay $15 for the whole set.

Alternative way...This is the way the boguya person taught me is to trim the tsuka at the bottom..But this is also a pain in the butt.

This is also how a bogu shop will prepare the tsuka for a Nito-Ryu Shinai.

Take the tsuka off the shinai and using the hilt of the end of the shinai roll the leather inside out. Cut off as much as you need and cut small vertical slits into the leather at the end.

Then use strong string or fishing line and weave it thru the slits. Once you have the string woven through the slits, tighten in a knot and close the opening. Again, use the end of the shinai to roll the tsukagawa back.

Reassemble.

amatsuda
http://mywebpage.netscape.com/sjkendo

[Kendoka]

Originally posted by amatsuda
Haowen:

Take the tsuka off the shinai and using the hilt of the end of the shinai roll the leather inside out. Cut off as much as you need and cut small vertical slits into the leather at the end.

Then use strong string or fishing line and weave it thru the slits. Once you have the string woven through the slits, tighten in a knot and close the opening. Again, use the end of the shinai to roll the tsukagawa back.
Reassemble.


This is the best way to shorten the tsuka and it is an easier method than it sounds (or reads). When the tsuka is removed and turned inside out, have a look at the way the manufacturer has cut the slits and inserted the string, then just copy it after you have cut off the extra bit. It looks very neat once it is the correct side out again.