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Post by MichaelRS on Sept 3, 2021 22:39:24 GMT
The question is pretty straightforward; What would be the ACTUAL harm to the Ha/blade if a katana is displayed Ha down on a padded/cushioned surface at the point(s) of contact?
The reason I ask is, as some of you know, I ordered my blades with wording and images laser etched on them and I would like those to be right side up when the swords are on display.
To that end I was going to find what I felt to be a suitably cushioned material for the blades to rest on OR insert them between some sort if padded V-shaped pinchers that would hold it by pressing against the sides of the blade.
I know it's easier and more practical, which is probably why it became traditional, to just lay the blade on the mune/spine on a wooden rack of old. However, as stated, I have my reasons for wanting to do it the other way... but I don't want to do that if there's going to be any REAL harm to the blade.
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Post by zsg1313 on Sept 3, 2021 23:14:22 GMT
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Post by bradc on Sept 3, 2021 23:31:15 GMT
Ha down feels wrong to me and violates everything I know about Japanese sword care and etiquette.
However, I don't think you need to be worried.
Many stands have a little felt where the sword touches which would protect the blade if you put it down gently.You can also use some Nugui Gami paper. If you are gentle you are more likely to damage the stand. If you aren't careful and the edge geometry is particularly fine you could damage or slightly dull the edge but it's very likely not going to be an issue.
If you were preserving a valuable sword with a high grade polish I would say Nooooo! but for standard production blades it should be OK.
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tera
Moderator
Posts: 1,662
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Post by tera on Sept 4, 2021 15:12:45 GMT
Like my other JSA brethren, the reason I was taught ha-up was a matter of etiquette. I wasn't taught specifically how ha-down might harm the saya (I'm sure the sword would be fine).
That said, it sounds like you plan on displaying the blades outside of the saya. That is not something I am accustomed to seeing outside of museums or as a temporary thing for pictures in ebay ads. This might be problematic for oxidation/rust reasons. You might look for sealable display cases that have a rubber gasket to keep humidity out and keep some desiccant packs hidden behind the felt/silk/whatever. I'd also ensure the blade and any easily oxidized metals (potentially habaki, depending on material) had a light coat of oil. As long as the stand has some felt or other lining, you shouldn't hurt the ha or scratch the blade, but again the oxidation is my main concern.
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Post by MichaelRS on Sept 4, 2021 16:08:47 GMT
My thanks to all for responses and suggestions so far.
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Post by haon on Sept 4, 2021 16:21:32 GMT
I agree to all that the others have said, and furthermore, tachi are displayed with the edge downwards, as far as I know. So I guess it is more a thing of etiquette or simply habit that the blade is displayed in the way it would be worn. Just my two cents
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Post by pellius on Sept 4, 2021 22:05:11 GMT
My understanding is that a katana is displayed edge up because it is worn edge up, and a tachi is displayed edge down because it is worn edge down. The display orientation isn’t to reduce the risk of damage.
As always, though, I’m not an expert.
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Post by MichaelRS on Sept 5, 2021 6:06:37 GMT
Thank you everybody. I appreciate your thoughts.
Living in Orange County, California I'm not overly concerned about rust/oxidation just from the atmosphere with the blades being "protected" in my house. Also, we are dealing with sub $300 Katana here so... .
Still, that being said, I'm not interested in unnecessarily abusing them. I would also probably be inspecting them and freshly oiling, or waxing, them from time to time to try to mitigate anything like that.
Since I am not in Japan and I am not actually a samurai (where any of you fooled on that score? 😄) I am not really overly hung up on the tradition or etiquette thing regarding the display. (I'm such a rebel that I'll even go so far as to wear underwear under my Kilt if I think the situation calls for it😁).
And if someone gets the willies when they come over to my house because the tsuka of my katanas are to the right, well then so be it.
My preferred goal is simply to display the swords that best shows them AND the etchings I have on the blades off...UNLESS, and here we come full circle, I'm committing some sort of physical harm to the Ha by having it rest on a padded surface.
However, for the life of me I cannot figure out what that harm would be under those circumstances and so I ask the collective wisdom here in case there is something I have not thought of.
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tera
Moderator
Posts: 1,662
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Post by tera on Sept 5, 2021 16:24:22 GMT
Regular inspection and care should address any oxidation issues. As my Sensei always told me, the best way to care for your weapons is to use them (in this case, referring to wooden practice equipment warping from sitting in one position too long). I can think of no way you would harm the Ha. Even if the stand has a rough finish the worst case may be surface scratches but nothing remotely serious. If the stands have padding or that felt tape (a very clever idea) then you shouldn't have to worry even about that. Since someone mentioned the adhesive felt, what about some LED light strips behind the stands for koshirae themed mood lighting? www.lepro.com/learning/cut-led-strip-lights/
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Post by RufusScorpius on Sept 5, 2021 16:52:57 GMT
My point of view is that unless you are living in 17th century Japan then it doesn't make a hill of beans as to how you display your sword in your own home. You can go proper etiquette if it makes you happy, or shove them under your bed if you wish.
There will be no harm to the edge having it resting on the stand. In fact, most knives are displayed this way. Keep the sword maintained against corrosion and you will be just fine.
Do what you feel is best. They're your swords.
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Post by JH Lee on Sept 6, 2021 1:21:17 GMT
My point of view is that unless you are living in 17th century Japan then it doesn't make a hill of beans as to how you display your sword in your own home. You can go proper etiquette if it makes you happy, or shove them under your bed if you wish. There will be no harm to the edge having it resting on the stand. In fact, most knives are displayed this way. Keep the sword maintained against corrosion and you will be just fine. Do what you feel is best. They're your swords. THIS.
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Post by bradc on Sept 6, 2021 2:21:24 GMT
I can think of no way you would harm the Ha. The only way I could think of actually damaging the Ha would be if you were really rough placing or removing the sword and ended up with a twisting motion where the Ha would move perpendicular to the stand and act like an adze/scraper on the wood. But even then it's most likely gradual dulling.
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Post by MichaelRS on Sept 6, 2021 2:42:38 GMT
I appreciate everyone's commentary.
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Post by bradc on Sept 7, 2021 3:44:16 GMT
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Post by MichaelRS on Sept 7, 2021 5:09:51 GMT
Thanks, that was interesting.
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