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(how to make a kodachi)
Why waste your hard-earned pennies on a brand-new kodachi?
On this page we'll provide the step-by-step instructions on how to assemble
your own kodachi (short sword) used in two-sword (nito) matches.
Once you are finished you'll be using something you created with your own
craftsmanship, imagine how proud you'll be!
I'm sure you have plenty of left-over broken 39 shinai, we'll need at-least
four good bamboo slats and the leather fittings. A saw, a file, scissors, and
some super-glue.
- Locate your shinai with the broken slats.
- You'll need to cut the slats of below the broken points leaving
enough length for your kodachi.
- Your blade length will need to be 40cm from the widest point of the
shinai
- And your handle with need to be 20cm from the widest point.
- Your Kodachi length should be no more than 60cm overall.
- Mark the required cutting points with a pen.
- Cut off the ends evenly, try not to slip.
- If we leave the ends square like this the leather ends will
eventually tear through.
- So, use the file to round the ends.
- They should end up looking nice and round like this.
- You will need to use the saw to cuts slots for the butterfly, make
sure you line them up before cutting.
- Insert the butterfly into the slats.
- The leather tsuka cover should measure 18cm when completed.
- But mark the tsuka cover 1.5cm longer (with a scissor cut) to allow
for the stitching.
- Turn the cover inside-out (but not all the way).
- Measure up 7mm from the cut for your stitching holes.
- Punch four holes about 1cm apart.
- Weave the thread through the holes (you can use shinai cord).
- Pull the knot very tight (I suggest pliers).
- Put a drop of superglue on the knot.
- Cut off the rest of your tsuka cover at your mark.
- Trim the rest of the thread ends.
- Turn the tsuka cover rightside-out.
- Slide the tsuka cover onto your Kodachi.
- You're ready to finish your Kodachi just like you would
a regular shinai.
Original page (in japanese):
http://www6.vc-net.ne.jp/~isiyosi/kodachi.htm
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