Tsuka / Sword Hilt
柄
Hilt or handle section of a Japanese sword (Katana, Bokken) or Shinai.
Quick Facts
CategoryEquipment
Pronunciation/[tsoo-kah]/
Alternative NamesSword handle, Katana hilt
Definition
Tsuka is the wooden hilt wrapped in rayskin (Samegawa) and braided cord (Tsuka-ito). In Kendo and Iaido, two-handed gripping of the Tsuka controls blade trajectory and cutting dynamics (Hasuji).
Related Terms
Te手
Japanese word for hand or palm.
Shinai竹刀Bamboo sword constructed of four slats used for full-contact sparring in Kendo.
Bokken / Bokuto木剣 / 木刀Traditional wooden sword shaped like a katana for safe practice in Kenjutsu, Aikido, and Iaido.
Bokuto木刀Formal Japanese term for the wooden sword utilized in official Nihon Kendo Kata.