Tsuka-maki is the art of wrapping the handle of a Japanese sword, as ito is wrapped and twisted around the tsuka (handle). Paper triangles (hishi-gami) are placed between the ito and the same-gawa as it is being wrapped. The hishi-gami help to define the diamond-shaped openings commonly found on the hilt and through which the same and hilt ornaments (menuki) can be seen. These paper triangles also help to create a very tight wrapping. When the entire tsuka has been completely wrapped, a finishing knot is tied to bring together and lock the ends of the ito. The knot often holds the pommel cap (kashira) in place as well.

The tsuka is usually wrapped in a strong, flat silk cord (ito), but may also be wrapped in other materials such as snakeskin, lacquered paper, string or cord wrap, and leather. Sometimes the same is used on the tsuka alone without the use of ito wrapping. In this case the menuki are attached to the outside of the tsuka in a style called hari-menuki.

There have been various colors of ito used throughout the ages but, the more traditional tsuka are wrapped in black and various other dark colors. The Tachi were commonly wrapped in gold, white, or other colors with even patterned ito on occasion. The actual design or pattern of the twisted braid wrap varies in more than 70 recorded styles. Although there are a great many styles of wrapping, some of the most common popular styles are Tsumami-maki, Katate-maki, Hira-maki, and Hineri-maki. As well as there being thousands of famous sword smiths, there have also been thousands of tsukamaki-shi (tsuka wrappers) and each one completes a tsuka in a slightly different way.

Ronin Swords offers these tsuka-maki styles:

• Hineri-maki: a basic diamond style where both strands twist and fold, crossing over each other

	Hineri-maki style done in grey green silk with silver fittings
	Hineri-maki in black doe skin leather on antique gassan nihonto
	Hineri-maki in Tetsu green silk ito

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• Katate-maki: known as "battle style", both strands of ito start as hineri and then change to a single strand of ito that wraps around the middle of tsuka with menuki being exposed

          

	Katate-maki in green silk over black lacquer.
	Katate-maki done in silk,on black same

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• Tsumami-maki: a fancy wrap where both strands of ito are pinched and tucked at the crossover, rather than being folded



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• Tachi-maki: a cross over with no twisting, wrapped over brocade  

          Jabara-maki: silk cords crossed or braided to form wrap style 

Tsuka over 12" inquire

Ito colors:

• Silk
• Tsuka-gawa (leather)