The Samegawa - Parts of a Japanese KatanaThe same translates to “shark” or samegawa as “shark skin”. This is an important component of the katana located on the handle or tsuka. The wooden handle is carved flat on either side so a panel of samagawa can be placed under the handle wrap. The texture of the shark skin or commonly ray skin provides a textured surface to prevent the wrapping from slipping or becoming loose. Today we have several options from a traditional ray skin to synthetic replications of the material to achieve the same task (no pun intended). It is possible to have a tsuka or handle completely wrapped in samegawa without the tsuka-ito wrapping because it provides a very good grip on its own. There are examples of this on katana but it was more common on the shorter tanto blade. Samagawa was also known to be used on the saya or sheath providing extra grip or simply as a decorative element.Samegawa PhotosThese are some photo's of several different Samegawa found on the Japanese katana that we offer.The extended handle is wrapped in distinctive teal-green silk cord over black samé (ray skin), providing confident two-handed or hand-transitioned control. See more of the Dragonfly Wakizashi w/Katana HandleThe brown Japanese cotton ito grips gently in the hand as its intricately wrapped in katatemaki style around white same (ray skin). See more of the Mukade Ni KatanaHousing this subtle yet powerful blade is a black laquered wooden saya wrapped in han-samemaki ray skin with a buffalo horn kurikata with brown cotton sageo. See more of the Mukade Ni KatanaThe silver habaki, menuki and seppa contrast against the black tsuka-ito and the white faux same (ray skin). See more of the Raimie XL KatanaThe tsuka (handle) is wrapped in classic black cotton ito over genuine ray skin, offering an authentic feel and secure grip. See more of the Tomoe and Crane Katanatsuka is wrapped in suede tsuka ito over white same (ray skin) See more of the Wolf Katana Contrasted by the crimson tsuka-ito (handle wrap), the white same (ray skin) on the wood core handle, the notched seppa (spacers), silver habaki (blade collar) and the cherry blossom menuki (handle ornaments), represent the only vivid aspects of this sobering piece. See more of the Sakura KatanaThe saya is lacquered in a deep blue with a same-gawa or sting ray skin wrap. See more of the Citadel Dragon KatanaA dark brown silk ito is wrapped around real same (ray skin) in a traditional diamond pattern. See more of the Armourer's KatanaThe Swords basket hilt is made of blued steel with a wood grip covered in ray skin and wrapped in wire. See more of the Scottish BroadswordDouble pinned cotton wrapped handle through a traditional length tang with real ray skin. See more of the Kenshin KatanaThe saya is deeply lacquered in black. High quality ray skin (same) is used on the tsuka. The tsuka-ito is made of premium dark blue Japanese cotton. See more of the Kaeru (Frog) Wakizashi