How Do You Wrap A Samurai Sword Handle?
Tsukamaki is the traditional art of wrapping the grips of Japanese swords. These wraps can be basic or very intricate, but the basic form of the wrap is easily recognized and contributes substantially to the classic appearance of Japanese swords. Mastering traditional tsukamaki takes years of practice, but basic simplified versions that explain how to wrap a samurai sword handle are not terribly difficult to do. Place the midpoint of the ito against the unwrapped hilt, perpendicular to it and flat against the metal collar just underneath the guard. The ito should be on the side of the hilt that faces outward when the sword is worn. Pull the ito tightly and evenly around the hilt to the other side and flip the sword over. Where the two halves of the ito cross one another, twist one half over twice, giving it a slight S-shape, and then do the same with the other half so that the two halves of the ito form an X-shape in the center of the hilt. Pull the two halves tightly and adjust them s
