Sageo & sageo

[munenmuso]

What is a sageo and it's significance to a shinken or iaito? How come I never see iaido practitioners tie the cord of their sword in such manner, they're always loose where the end is tied up across the waist?


I have an iaito with a long brown cord. How can I tie it properly to a good sageo?

[chidokan]

Sageo are a modern introduction, and some old ryu do not use them. A standard way of tying a sageo on is to thread the sageo through the saya, make a simple loop, and thread the other end of the sageo through the loop. Balance the two lengths, then tighten the loop.
When wearing a sword, the sageo should not impede your movements, so depending on the length, tie it into your hakama straps. I simply double the last ten centimentres and push this up into the straps, and they dont come out. Some people knot them as well, some push the double in from the top, it depends on your ryu.

Tim Hamilton