Iaito & Shinken Fuchi & Kashira

About our Fuchi/Kashira lineup

The Fuchi (縁) is a hilt collar between the tsuka and the tsuba. It serves as a reinforcment for the Tsuka (handle). The tang of the sword goes into the tsuka through the opening in the fuchi.
The Kashira (頭) is a pommel on the end of the tsuka, which serves, similarly to the Fuchi, as reinforcement for the Tsuka (handle). It usually features a hole that is used to secure the tsukaito (wrapping). Some kashira, and notably Suigyu (water buffalo) made Kashira do not have a hole, which forces to slightly change how the maki (wrapping) is done.

As other pieces and components of the sword mounting, the Fuchi and Kashira used to be simple and plain, but became thoroughly decorated and worked during the Edo period, developing into decorative ornaments over time.
Fuchi and Kashira design have two main features: the shape and the engraved design. Although many kind of shapes exist, the two most common shapes are "Jidai" and "Higo". Jidai that could be translated as "classic" refer to a flat Kashira, and Higo, which was an ancient province of South Japan, refer to a rounded Kashira (which was typical of Higo swords).
Note that the Tsuka length is measured from the tip of the Kashira, which makes the Tsuka length slightly vary depending on the Kashira shape.
Fuchi and Kashira come in pair and their design is usually (almost always) are based on the same thematic.

All models are, of course, entirely handmade in Japan.