MAJOR PARTS OF THE BUKE-ZUKURI KOSHIRAE

The buke-zukuri style of sword mounting is the most common type seen today on antique Japanese swords. It is also called the uchigatana or katana style. A set of swords consisting of a long sword (daito) and a short sword (shoto) which are mounted in identical koshirae are referred to as a daisho. Daisho or daito could only be worn by samurai or higher rank, whereas the short sword (shoto or wakizashi) could be worn by merchants, tradesmen and craftsmen. This accounts for the increased value of daito (katana or tachi) versus shoto and for the greater numbers of shoto (wakizashi) found today. Swords in buke-zukuri mountings are worn edge up with the saya thrust through the obi (waist band).
Occassionally the saya of katana, wakizashi or tanto (never tachi) will have slots for various types of accessories to be carried.

There are several types of utensils which may be found. The most common is a kozuka or small knife. [Technically the kozuka is just the handle, the blade is the kokatana or gokatana] This is a general utility knife, used much like a pocketknife. A kogai is a hair arranger and ear wax cleaner. The wari-kogai or waribashi is like a kogai which is split in the middle and can be used as chopsticks. The umabari is a one piece, all steel implement of triangular cross-section. All of these were made by skilled artisans and are highly sought after by collectors.