Stretching Sageo

**1stdan** · 31st August 2010, 02:04 AM

I recently purchased a used Itaio off Ebay. Its a beautiful Swordstore job with green accents. The only problem I have is that the sageo is a tad bit short, But its silk and verrrry nice. Is there any way to stretch it??? Anybody have any ideas? Thanks.

**sirius1906** · 31st August 2010, 02:25 AM

You can try but I don't think it stretches. What koryu do you practice? Shinden could use a shorter sageo (vs. Jikkiden) because how it's tied. Anyway, if it's really too short, you can always buy a longer sageo.

**1stdan** · 31st August 2010, 03:17 AM

I do mostly setei kata now, But MSR is on the horizon. I also have an extended Hara which i think is the biggest problem. I have looked on line also but i was just loo
king for the cheap way out.

**pgsmith** · 31st August 2010, 03:51 AM

Sorry Dan, but silk will not stretch at all. Not much you can do except to get a new one.

**1stdan** · 31st August 2010, 03:54 AM

Drats, maybe i can at least tie my bogu up with it or something.

**Reiver** · 31st August 2010, 04:46 AM

I used to wet the sageo and stretch it out (not too much), and let it dry. I did this to make them more floppy (although some people prefer them stiffer), but it did lengthen them a bit.

**Kokoro777** · 31st August 2010, 05:05 AM

How short is it?

**sirius1906** · 31st August 2010, 05:08 AM

Originally Posted by Reiver

I used to wet the sageo and stretch it out (not too much), and let it dry. I did this to make them more floppy (although some people prefer them stiffer), but it did lengthen them a bit.

was that silk or cotton?

**1stdan** · 31st August 2010, 05:39 AM

Really short, I had to tie it in front instead of to the side. Also i almost launched the Iaito out of the saya on Ganmenate. there was not much of a loop left at all.

**chidokan** · 31st August 2010, 05:44 AM

I like it stiff but bendy in parts.

**pgsmith** · 31st August 2010, 06:35 AM

That would probably make it a wakizashi length sageo rather than daito length. What color is it? I've got a black and blue daito length chemical fiber one somewhere that's still in the package if you wanted to trade. I'd have to dig it out though as it's still buried in a box from our move, and I'm not at home this week as I'll be in California for the West Coast Tai Kai.

**Kokoro777** · 31st August 2010, 08:12 PM

Jorun Bergstrom can make you an exact replica of the required length-her work is brilliant. Contact her via her website http://www.kumihimo.se/

**Peter West** · 31st August 2010, 10:56 PM

Joruns sageo are beautiful. but perhaps not for someone looking for the cheap way out.
Generally the standard sageo that come with iaito are useless.
There are many places that sell factory made ones for £10-30
Hand made ones start at around £60. I'm waiting for a custom woven one that is costing £200.
I had one custom made in Japan (simple weave, 2 colours) for ¥7500 (about £60 at the exchange rate then)