My take on Katatemaki (battle wrap)

[Katana Hunter]

Well, I've got nothing to do so I decided to fiddle around with my Masahiro's tsuka and might as well practice tsukamaki. I have this "ito" that looks a lot like shoelace.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b98/katana_hunter/masahiro-tsuka/ito.jpg

But since I don't have any real ito around, I decided to use this instead.

I'm not sure what this "ito" is made of, so I did a burn test and the results were:

Flame: melts and no flame (but after a while, it catches fire and the flame color is yellow)
Odor: Smells like burnt rubber
Residue: bard bead

Checking Thomas Buck's guide (http://pages.prodigy.net/tlbuck/tsuka/tsuka.htm), I don't see any burnt rubber in any of the fabrics mentioned there. Or maybe the odor I smelled could be like celery since I'm not familiar with the smell of celery. Anyway, let's just classify this ito to be nylon and let's get on with the tsukamaki.

Here are the 'before' pictures of my Masahiro's tsuka.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b98/katana_hunter/masahiro-tsuka/tsukabefore1.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b98/katana_hunter/masahiro-tsuka/tsukabefore2.jpg

As you can see, the original wrap is ugly. Uneven diamonds. Tsukamaki started on the wrong side. Direction of the crossovers (X) do not alternate. Fuzzy and worn out cotton ito.

Here's a picture of the tsuka core and its original fittings.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b98/katana_hunter/masahiro-tsuka/tsukastripped.jpg

I had to remove the adhesive on the side of the tsuka. Otherwise, the ito would stick to the tsuka and I'll have a hard time stretching. I also did a little brushing to clean the samekawa with some soap and water.

I was planning on doing a katatsumamimaki. It's like a morotumamimaki (most commonly known as tsumamimaki), except the ito underneath is folded and the one on top is pinched. Whereas with tsumamimaki, both strands are pinched. Anyway, I really had a hard time doing katatsumamimaki... I can't get to produce even diamonds, and often reveals part of the wood. Maybe because the nylon ito stretches so much compared to silk or cotton. So I decided to just go with hinerimaki (most common type of wrap).

I also had a hard time doing hinerimaki with this type of ito because it stretches so much, it was really hard making even diamonds... Another thing that gave me a problem was the placement of the 1st mekugi-ana (later shown in the picture). So I decided, I'll just do a katatemaki since I'll be making less diamonds and I've been wanting to learn how to do this wrap. I checked on Thomas Buck's guide again. Studied pictures of tsukas wrapped in katatemaki, then I thought I'm ready to do this.

Here are the 'after' pictures of my Masahiro's tsuka - my 1st ever try on katatemaki:

Omote side
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b98/katana_hunter/masahiro-tsuka/tsukaafter1.jpg

Ura side
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b98/katana_hunter/masahiro-tsuka/tsukaafter2.jpg

Yeah, I know... it's a crappy katatemaki! LOL! The diamonds are not uniform in size... Hishigami sticking out...

As you can see, I still haven't cut off the ends so I can still re-do the wrap now that I've learned how to connect the hinerimaki from katatemaki. In the picture showing the ura side, you'll see the placement of the mekugi-ana. It's off-centered. This was because the original wrap was started on the ura side and not on the omote side. That gave me a hard time. I was thinking, how am I able to make an even diamond if the mekugi is on the way of the crossover? But I still decided to go ahead with the wrap and see how it would look like.

Now that I've learned how to do this... I decided to try it out again and see if I can do a better wrap despite of the bad material I have. While re-wrapping, I took more pictures of the steps that I can share to those who want to try this style of wrapping since I find this to be the easiest because there'll be less diamonds.

Okay... let's get on with the re-wrap!

Prepare the ito where the other half is shorter.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b98/katana_hunter/katatemaki/katatemaki01.jpg

Started off with hinerimaki... then after the third diamond, cut the shorter end of the ito and proceed to katatemaki.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b98/katana_hunter/katatemaki/katatemaki02.jpg

Take the shorter end and position it (diagonally) on the tsuka in a way it will form a diamond with the other end.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b98/katana_hunter/katatemaki/katatemaki03.jpg

Take the longer end and overlap the shorter end to form a diamond.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b98/katana_hunter/katatemaki/katatemaki04.jpg

Be sure to stretch the ito tightly.

Take the longer end and wrap it vertically over at the omote side... like so:
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b98/katana_hunter/katatemaki/katatemaki05.jpg

Take the longer end over at the ura side and just follow the first wrap you made.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b98/katana_hunter/katatemaki/katatemaki06.jpg

Just a review, here's Thomas Buck's diagram:
http://pages.prodigy.net/tlbuck/tsuka/katamak4.jpg

Moving on... just wrap the ito around and around the tsuka. I'm not sure about the placement of the menuki if its correct, but that is where I wanted them.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b98/katana_hunter/katatemaki/katatemaki07.jpg

Then when you reach the end of the katatemaki, it's time to insert a new end of ito.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b98/katana_hunter/katatemaki/katatemaki08.jpg

Again, position it in a way it will form a diamond when you start doing hinerimaki again.

This is what the 2 ends of ito looks like over at the omote side where you begin hinerimaki:
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b98/katana_hunter/katatemaki/katatemaki09.jpg

Over at the ura side to start hinerimaki.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b98/katana_hunter/katatemaki/katatemaki10.jpg



And here's the final wrap, my 2nd try on katatemaki (was there any difference with the first?) :))

Omote side:
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b98/katana_hunter/katatemaki/katatemaki11.jpg

Ura side:
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b98/katana_hunter/katatemaki/katatemaki12.jpg

I don't know what happened with my omote and ura side knot... they're on the opposite side. I only noticed it when I finally cut the ends. Maybe this happened when I shortened the tsuka at the kashira end. Well, anyway it's done and I hope it looks better than my first try.

This is by no means a professional guide, I'm just sharing what I learned and will be improving my skills. I hope you have learned something as well. :)

* UPDATED 05/22/2010 *

I was asked before on how to wrap the menuki on a katatemaki, so I thought of updating this thread with the technique I use on how I do it.

I got one of my old tsuka, excess ito, and spare menuki lying around and did a quick wrap just to show how it's done. I'll let the pictures do the talking.

Again, this is by no means a professional guide. This is just the technique I use and others may have a better way of doing it. Enjoy!

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b98/katana_hunter/katatemaki/katate-menuki01.jpg (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b98/katana_hunter/katatemaki/katate-menuki01.jpg)

Simply place the menuki where you want it to be. Others want it at the center part of the katatemaki. I prefer it to be at the beginning.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b98/katana_hunter/katatemaki/katate-menuki02.jpg (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b98/katana_hunter/katatemaki/katate-menuki02.jpg)

You can choose to cover any part of the menuki. Others prefer to cover the whole first and end part, I prefer to show a little of the 1st and end part of the menuki.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b98/katana_hunter/katatemaki/katate-menuki03.jpg (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b98/katana_hunter/katatemaki/katate-menuki03.jpg)

Here, the ito is already holding the menuki in place. It should be stretched very tightly.

Now it's time to tuck the ito underneath the menuki. To do so...

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b98/katana_hunter/katatemaki/katate-menuki04.jpg (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b98/katana_hunter/katatemaki/katate-menuki04.jpg)

I use a dental pick to slightly lift the menuki. Enough to insert the ito. Don't lift to much or it will loosen the ito holding the menuki.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b98/katana_hunter/katatemaki/katate-menuki05.jpg (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b98/katana_hunter/katatemaki/katate-menuki05.jpg)

Then carefully insert the ito while taking care not to lift the menuki too much.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b98/katana_hunter/katatemaki/katate-menuki06.jpg (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b98/katana_hunter/katatemaki/katate-menuki06.jpg)

It helps to push the ito with your pick, but be very careful not to fray it.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b98/katana_hunter/katatemaki/katate-menuki07.jpg (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b98/katana_hunter/katatemaki/katate-menuki07.jpg)

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b98/katana_hunter/katatemaki/katate-menuki08.jpg (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b98/katana_hunter/katatemaki/katate-menuki08.jpg)

Here you can see the space under the menuki. It would be very easy to insert the ito.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b98/katana_hunter/katatemaki/katate-menuki09.jpg (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b98/katana_hunter/katatemaki/katate-menuki09.jpg)

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b98/katana_hunter/katatemaki/katate-menuki10.jpg (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b98/katana_hunter/katatemaki/katate-menuki10.jpg)

This is the 3rd time the ito is tucked underneath the menuki. And you can see that it should already be on top of the menuki.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b98/katana_hunter/katatemaki/katate-menuki11.jpg (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b98/katana_hunter/katatemaki/katate-menuki11.jpg)

Shown on this picture, the ito is already covering the whole end part of the menuki and is not the same on how I started it. I prefer to show a little bit of the first and end part of the menuki.

Moving on to the next picture...

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b98/katana_hunter/katatemaki/katate-menuki12.jpg (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b98/katana_hunter/katatemaki/katate-menuki12.jpg)

Simply remove the ito underneath and place it on top.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b98/katana_hunter/katatemaki/katate-menuki13.jpg (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b98/katana_hunter/katatemaki/katate-menuki13.jpg)

Make sure that the ito holding the end part of the menuki is very, very tight. So tight that you won't be able to move the menuki. Otherwise, you'll have to start again.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b98/katana_hunter/katatemaki/katate-menuki14.jpg (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b98/katana_hunter/katatemaki/katate-menuki14.jpg)

This is the tricky part for me. This could be the reason why others prefer to cover the first and whole part of the menuki.

Since the menuki is already being held down tightly by the ito, you need to carefully lift the end part so it will not loosen the wrap.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b98/katana_hunter/katatemaki/katate-menuki15.jpg (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b98/katana_hunter/katatemaki/katate-menuki15.jpg)

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b98/katana_hunter/katatemaki/katate-menuki16.jpg (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b98/katana_hunter/katatemaki/katate-menuki16.jpg)

There you go!

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b98/katana_hunter/katatemaki/katate-menuki17.jpg (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b98/katana_hunter/katatemaki/katate-menuki17.jpg)

I hope this guide has been useful.

After 1 year and 9 months, the first katatemaki I did has withstand constant usage during iai and kata and is still as tight as when I first wrapped it. I think it even became tighter due to sweat and oil from my hands.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b98/katana_hunter/katatemaki/katatemaki-101209-01.jpg (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b98/katana_hunter/katatemaki/katatemaki-101209-01.jpg)

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b98/katana_hunter/katatemaki/katatemaki-101209-02.jpg (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b98/katana_hunter/katatemaki/katatemaki-101209-02.jpg)

Regards,
Aldwin

Check out my other customs:
- Customized Tenchi (http://swordsofmightforum.com/showthread.php?t=910)
- Customized Kaze with saya samemaki (http://swordsofmightforum.com/showthread.php?t=913)
- Just another tsukamaki (http://swordsofmightforum.com/showthread.php?t=1623)
- Jabaramaki on a Hanwei Practical (http://swordsofmightforum.com/showthread.php?t=1871)
- Modified habaki (http://swordsofmightforum.com/showthread.php?t=2375)

[Jason Moore]

That is awesome! Very nice....=D>

[Mako]

Great stuff KH. ;)

[Torawashi]

once again, a fine presentation.....way to go

[jasonr82]

it look good

[bobO]

At the cost of looking like I'm kissing up, I gotta say this is a great presentation. You make it look doable, even if you sound like taygrd. Have more rep buddy and Thanks!

[gypes37]

Nice work.

[Katana Hunter]

I'm not sure how Taygrd sounds, but thanks.

I appreciate the rep and replies.

But really, this type of wrap is very easy to do. You can lessen the diamonds if you want so it won't be too hard. I wasn't able to calculate the length of ito needed for katatemaki in the original post, so I did a quick wrap (no hishigami, no menuki, & less stretching). This is a 10.5 inch tsuka. The length of ito that I have is 15.75 ft. After the quick wrap, I had 7 ft in excess. So I guess I used about 8.75 ft for the wrap and it wasn't even stretched enough. I would guess you would need about 9 ft of ito. Make it 10 ft to make sure you have enough.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b98/katana_hunter/katatemaki/katatemaki13.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b98/katana_hunter/katatemaki/katatemaki14.jpg

And here's another one using the same tsuka (also no hishigami & less stretching), but this time with a "sensual menuki". =)

Using the same 10.5 inch tsuka, but with lesser diamonds. I had 15 ft of ito with an excess of 7 ft. So I guess I used about 8 ft of ito. Again, just to be sure, prepare 9-10 ft of ito.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b98/katana_hunter/katatemaki/katatemaki15.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b98/katana_hunter/katatemaki/katatemaki16.jpg

[Jason Moore]

Wow, that is some menuki!

[bobO]

Jason, can you get those? You know I gots to have a set!

[Taygrd]

Nice work again. Your getting BobO all excited over those menuki=)).
Can you get a picture of the clamp you are using? Looks to be ideal for tsukamaki. As far as ito measurements I use to go by the number of inches turned into feet then add three. I found out by using that formula the supplier ended up with six more dollars of my money, and I had two one foot pieces of ito left over.:-O Go figure.

[Katana Hunter]

Here's a close up of the shunga menuki. =)

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b98/katana_hunter/menuki/shungamenuki.jpg

Got them from Artsfeng on eBay.


Taygrd, here's the spring clamp that I use.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b98/katana_hunter/katatemaki/clamp1.jpg

I prefer using the one on the left (without the orange thingy). Because the one with the orange thingy doesn't clamp well at the rounded sides of the tsuka, and it'll slip off.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b98/katana_hunter/katatemaki/clamp2.jpg

This one clamps perfectly
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b98/katana_hunter/katatemaki/clamp3.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b98/katana_hunter/katatemaki/clamp4.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b98/katana_hunter/katatemaki/clamp5.jpg

[bobO]

Got the clamps, need menuki!:flaming:

[Taygrd]

I have been using old clamps out of wood since the metals ones I have would frey the ito. Got to do some shopping to find those plastic ones. Planning on building a box with a katanakake built into it at the right height to do my tsukamaki. I prefer to be sitting on the floor when working on my swords-call me weird8-}. Great work and tutorial. Got me motivated to finish that sword that has sat there for a month. Keep up the good work.

[bobO]

Taygrd, I got mine at the dollar store. Clamps that is.

[Katana Hunter]

Taygrd, I also prefer sitting on the floor when doing tsukamaki. I have yet to make my own tsukamaki stand, but I don't know if it'll work for my as I tend to work on my tsuka sideways.

bobO, here's your menuki:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320281091364

Airmail shipping may take 3 weeks. Though you can request EMS, but it'll be more expensive. At the time (Feb 2008) I purchased this menuki, I paid £5.75 for everything.

[69NINJA]

HA I had to pick a set of these up! thanks for the link they have the matching furniture set here too.

http://cgi.ebay.com/TF19-JP-SAMURAI-SWORD-SEXUAL-THEME-TSUBA-FUCHIKASHIRA_W0QQitemZ220274405348QQihZ012QQcatego ryZ41181QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItemQQ_tr ksidZp1638Q2em118Q2el1247

they have some really great other ones as well.

I dont think i'm gonna get this set though, I think Im going on the search for party themed sword furniture lol, I need to find a sake tsuba!!!
this could be fun for my first sword project.


~

[bobO]

Didn't know this stuff was there, Thanks guys. I like the two carp set.

[Sairon]

Nice job! and if you dont want to re-wrap you can use a small nail/screwdriver to push the "diamonds" to the shap you want.

[the blade master]

nice battle wrap

[Katana Hunter]

Thanks again. I would say that doing a battle wrap is very easy. All it takes is practice, practice, and practice. And also a bit of patience and perseverance. =)

[69NINJA]

Thanks again. I would say that doing a battle wrap is very easy. All it takes is practice, practice, and practice. And also a bit of patience and perseverance. =)

"practice, practice, and practice. And also a bit of patience and perseverance."

Damn my only 5 weaknesses!!! well, that and waitresses and sexy bartenders...

[Katana Hunter]

Damn my only 5 weaknesses!!! well, that and waitresses and sexy bartenders...

:))

[Mako]

I've had my share of 'senior moments' but this is getting ridiculous...I really must have had a 'senior month' last August.

Maybe I was in prison but I can't say for sure. :))

Thanks for sharing your skill KH, I'm sure it's much appreciated by many of us. =D>

[Katana Hunter]

Thanks for sharing your skill KH, I'm sure it's much appreciated by many of us. =D>

You're most welcome Mako.

I'm not really a chatty person, so this is the only way I can contribute to the forum. And I'm sure to post any projects I will have in the future to share with you guys. :)

[wolfhound]

KH, I tried the Battle Wrap last night using your words of wisdom & Tom Buck's guide and it came out quite well, many thanks, Rep for you.

BTW Mako is there any chance of you stickying this thread?

[Mako]

KH, I tried the Battle Wrap last night using your words of wisdom & Tom Buck's guide and it came out quite well, many thanks, Rep for you.

BTW Mako is there any chance of you stickying this thread?
Done. ;)

[wolfhound]

Thanks buddy :)

[Torawashi]

Excellent work, young Wolfhound..... Have a rep (I took the cost of the rep out of Mick's petty cash....he doesn't know about it) http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w71/jimnpatsy/SMILIES/image005-1.gif

[Katana Hunter]

You're most welcome wolfhound! I'm glad that this helped you. And thanks for the rep!

I feel honored that this thread has been stickied. Thanks guys! :)

Btw, I've thought of updating the main post. Added pictures on how to wrap the menuki on a katatemaki.

Enjoy!

[the blade master]

jim you can go off folkes you know:blackeye::-O:>:>

any way im sat here with a bottle of famous grouse whiskey
enjoying the days offerings with the kids grand kids and great grandkids
(its my 62nd) so the next drams on you:lager:
cheers mick:tequila::)):)):))

[wolfhound]

You're most welcome wolfhound! I'm glad that this helped you. And thanks for the rep!

I feel honored that this thread has been stickied. Thanks guys! :)

Btw, I've thought of updating the main post. Added pictures on how to wrap the menuki on a katatemaki.

Enjoy!

Go for it, remember every bit helps :)

[andysoard]

I dont know if anyone will freak out but I have done the battle wrap without cutting the ito and it looks pretty similar to what katana hunter has, dont get me wrong those wrapping are great, I just got lazy and didnt want to cut the ito.

[wolfhound]

I did the same thing on mine, I find it a little more secure doing it that way.

I just had a vision of the Ito getting caught up on something, pulling it's self out & starting to unravel or dramatically loosening up over time and didn't want to take the risk.

I think the Ito ratio I used was 2/3 by 1/3 over 4 & a half meters of Ito and I had just under 40cm to play with in the end to tie the fininshing knot with.

[andysoard]

you know wolf I never thought of that but your right unless you glue or be very careful the ito could possibly get loose. As for figuring out the ratio I just went trial and error till I got the desired ratio.