Samekawa for Iaito/Shinken Tsuka

The Samekawa or "shark skin" is the part under the Tsukaito. Despite being called a "Samekawa", and because shark hunting isn't really a thing nowadays, stingray skin is used instead. Its main purpose is to keep the Tsukaito in place and to reinforce the Tsuka structure. The same is sanded and polished in order to produce a durable high quality type of leather.
On live blades (Shinken) mount, the Same is a "Maki Same", wrapper around the Tsuka wood. However, for cost reasons, Iaito Tsuka are made with two rectangular pieces of same embedded in the Tsuka. This is called Tanzaku-same.

Tanzaku-same option: will come in 2 strips long enough for a 1 sun long Tsuka. Unless customized with a Makisame, this is the option you need for an Iaito Tsuka.

Makisame option: the whole ray skin, enough for a Makisame Shinken.

Please note that we do not offer this product in black or red. The painting has to be done on your end.