The Samegawa - Parts of a Japanese Katana
The 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 Photos
These are some photo's of several different Samegawa found on the Japanese katana that we offer.
The 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 Katana
Housing 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 Katana
The silver habaki, menuki and seppa contrast against the black tsuka-ito and the white faux same (ray skin).
See more of the Raimie XL Katana
The 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 Katana
tsuka 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 Katana
The saya is lacquered in a deep blue with a same-gawa or sting ray skin wrap.
See more of the Citadel Dragon Katana
A dark brown silk ito is wrapped around real same (ray skin) in a traditional diamond pattern.
See more of the Armourer's Katana
The 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 Broadsword
Double pinned cotton wrapped handle through a traditional length tang with real ray skin.
See more of the Kenshin Katana
The 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
This unique piece features a san mai stainless steel blade and a fully wrapped, genuine ray skin handle. San mai is an ancient lamination technique developed by the master forgers of Japan where steels of differing qualities could be combined to produce a superior blade.
See more of the Baika Tanto