fuchi

Fuchi is the metal collar that surrounds the tang (nakago) of a traditional Japanese sword, positioned at the junction where the blade meets the handle (tsuka). It is one of the principal components of the tsuka-maki assembly and is paired with the kashira at the opposite end of the handle, together forming the fuchi-kashira set. The fuchi contributes both to the structural integrity of the blade-to-handle connection and to the overall aesthetics of the sword.

Function and placement: The fuchi sits around the base of the blade within the mouth of the tsuka, often interfacing with the habaki, a metal sleeve on the blade. It helps secure the blade and distributes stresses along the tang, while providing a finished transition between the blade’s geometry and the wrapped grip. Seppa (spacers) and mekugi (pegs) work with the fuchi to lock the assembly in place.

Materials and design: Fuchi are typically made from iron, copper, brass, or alloyed steel. They can be plain and functional or highly decorative, featuring engravings, inlays, patination, or mon patterns. The style of fuchi often reflects the sword’s school, era, and the owner’s preferences, and it is commonly matched to the kashira for a cohesive appearance.

History and usage: Fuchi have been a standard element of traditional Japanese swords such as katana, wakizashi, and tanto for centuries. They remain in use in historical restorations, serious collectors’ pieces, and high-quality modern reproductions, where authentic fitting and detail matter.

Notes: In general Japanese usage, fuchi can mean “abyss” or “depth,” but in sword terminology it refers specifically to this metal collar around the tang.