What is the Sageo?
The Sageo is said to be a remnant of the Tachio (太刀緒), which was used to suspend a tachi (a type of Japanese sword) at the waist. To wear a tachi, the Tachio was tied around the waist, and the Sageo is thought to have evolved from this practice. The Tachio is also known as Hakio (佩緒).
The style of suspending a sword at the waist can be traced back to the era of the Warabite-tō (蕨手刀), which is considered a prototype of the Japanese sword.
It remains unclear why the Sageo persisted in the design of Uchigatana (打刀), even though this sword style is worn inserted into the obi (Taito 帯刀) rather than suspended. However, a Sageo-less Kurikata (栗型,栗形 a attach on the sword scabbard) feels somewhat incomplete.
While the Sageo is typically regarded as a mere decorative element, it also embodies a certain sense of aesthetic formality. Additionally, it carries hidden meanings beyond its decorative purpose.
In the Tenshin-ryū, the length of the Sageo is prescribed as one jō (approximately 6 shaku, or 180 cm). This is longer than the commonly accepted length of 5 shaku (approximately 150 cm). While there are claims online that the length of the Sageo was regulated, the sources are unclear, and no definitive evidence has been found in historical documents. Even after extensive research, it has proven difficult to confirm this.
It should be noted that samurai were not always strict about adhering to standardized dimensions, whether for tsuba (鍔 sword guards) or other details. Thus, even if there were regulations for Sageo length, they likely varied among individuals.
For Kodachi (小太刀 short swords), the length of the Sageo is half that of a standard one, approximately about 3 shaku~4 shaku(about 90cm to 120cm).
The longer length of the Sageo serves a simple and practical purpose: it increases utility. (Details on this are discussed later.)
Tying Methods
- Daito (大刀 long swords): Butterfly Knot (胡蝶結び)
In Tenshin-ryū, the Sageo of the Daitō (大刀 long sword) is primarily tied using the Kocho Musubi (胡蝶結び, butterfly knot). This is identical to what is commonly referred to as a Cho Musubi(蝶結び). The length of the Sageo is adjusted by increasing the number of wraps around the scabbard.
However, in the past, Tenshin-sensei used to teach the Daimyō Musubi (大名結び, also known as Rōnin Musubi 浪人結び). One reason for this was that the Kocho Musubi was more prone to coming undone. Another reason was that modern iaito (practice swords) often come pre-tied in the Daimyō Musubi style upon purchase. It was assumed that students could learn by untying and re-tying it themselves, sparing the need to explicitly teach it.
Since the traditional knot is the Kocho Musubi, it is now recommended to switch to this style whenever possible.
During demonstrations or performances, even with the Daimyō Musubi, precautions are often taken to avoid embarrassment from an accidental loosening of the knot. This is done by discreetly securing the Sageo with thin threads (or even stitching it in place in some cases) to ensure it doesn’t come undone.
I had long questioned this practice, as it prevents the knot from being quickly untied in an emergency. However, I later learned that the original idea was to lightly secure the Sageo with thin threads that would break easily when pulled strongly, allowing the knot to be undone without issue when needed.
Daitō – Method Without Tying
When the Sageo is not tied, it is first wrapped once around the scabbard to prevent the Kurikata from being pulled off the scabbard if the Sageo gets caught or tugged.
Next, a simple knot is tied about 4 to 5 sun (approximately 12 to 15 cm) from the end of the Sageo.
Finally, while wearing the sword, the end of the Sageo is hooked onto the scabbard to keep it in place.
Care should be taken to ensure that the tip of the Sageo does not touch the ground while walking. If the Sageo is too long, increase the number of wraps around the scabbard, starting from the Kurikata.
Ishii-sensei (the 8th-generation Shike-Grand master) was known to reprimand students sternly, saying, “Don’t use the Sageo as a floor cloth!” if they let it drag on the ground. Indeed, dragging the Sageo outdoors in earlier times would have made it excessively dirty and was visually unappealing.
If an incident arises, such as a confrontation where the Sageo might get in the way, it can be tucked into the open side slits (waki-aki) of the hakama.
In the absence of a Koyori (紙縒り paper string) or similar item, the Sageo may also be wrapped around the hilt over the tsuba to indicate the intent of Nukazu (不抜, meaning no intention to draw the sword). This practice serves not only as a gesture of restraint but also as a means to prevent tampering with the sword (Sashiryō 差料, It means a sword for everyday use.).
Similarly, with the binding methods for Kamiyori or sword bags, individuals often developed unique tying techniques as a safeguard. These personalized methods prevented others from imitating them, ensuring that any tampering could be immediately detected.
- Kodachi (小太刀 short sword) and Shōtō (小刀 short blade): Myōga Musubi 茗荷結び
This method also begins by wrapping the Sageo once around the scabbard—twice if it is longer—to ensure that the Kurikata does not come off if the Sageo gets caught or pulled. The end is then tied in a Myōga Musubi (茗荷結び).
The Myōga Musubi used in Tenshin-ryū is unique; it is designed so that once the knot is untied, the Sageo can be immediately removed from the Kurikata.
The commonly known Myōga Musubi cannot be untied by pulling on it.
The name Myōga Musubi comes from the knot’s resemblance to the shape of a myōga (Japanese ginger).
myōga (茗荷 Japanese ginger)
When seated in the Ōgi-za(扇坐) position, the length of the knot should allow it to just barely touch the ground.
If it is too long, increase the number of wraps around the scabbard starting from the Kurikata.Reasons for Binding the Sageo
Looking at illustrations from the Edo period, it is rare to see the Sageo tied. However, photographs from the late Edo period (Bakumatsu 幕末) occasionally show tied Sageo, suggesting that the practice may have emerged later. Nevertheless, Tenshin-ryū teaches a different tradition.
The previous headmaster reportedly likened the Sageo to a necktie. According to transmitted teachings and oral traditions, proper etiquette during official duties, such as visits to a castle (tojō 登城), required the Sageo to be securely tied. This likely originates from the practice of tying the Tachio (太刀緒) of battlefield swords (jindachi 陣太刀) during peacetime.
When the Tachio is tied, it signifies that the sword will not be immediately worn, a state referred to as yasumedachi (安太刀). This contrasts with an untied Tachio, which would signify readiness to be worn.
For instance, when traveling as an emissary to another castle, even if the sword is worn up to the castle gates, the Tachio would be untied from the waist and tied formally as a sign of propriety.
In earlier traditions, particularly those predating the Edo period, during negotiations or other formal interactions, the sword would typically be held in the left hand. When seated, the swordsman would sit cross-legged and place the sword to their left.Tying the Tachio was a gesture of intent not to use the sword. In some cases, it would even be secured with Koyori (紙縒り paper string) to prevent drawing, signaling goodwill. Over time, this evolved into the principle of “Denchu Toho Sayano uchi” (殿中刀法鞘ノ中), a technique of suppressing conflict without drawing the sword.
(Older traditions include techniques related to yasumedachi, which served as a foundation for this practice.)Untying the Sageo was associated with chaotic or informal situations. Therefore, Tenshin-ryū teaches that the Sageo should generally remain tied in public, emphasizing proper etiquette for those of high rank.
Uses of the Sageo
One well-known use is tying it across the chest (tasuki-gake 襷掛け). However, this requires a Sageo of about 2 meters in length, which is just barely achievable with one jō (approximately 180 cm). Since the Sageo is not specifically designed for this purpose, it’s better to view this use as situational and pragmatic.
The Sageo can also serve as a tourniquet to stop bleeding.
In combat, the Sageo can be used for striking, entangling, or other purposes. It can also be wrapped around the waist to keep clothing in place or used when carrying a sword on the back.
The various applications of the Sageo are ultimately dictated by the need to adapt to urgent situations with whatever is on hand. This makes the Sageo a versatile tool, and using a longer one allows for a wide range of practical uses as a form of preparedness.
In some other schools, the Sageo is tied to the hakama string to prevent the sword from falling out. In Tenshin-ryū, this method is occasionally employed for Kodachi (小太刀 short swords) and Shoto(小刀 short swords), but only in outdoor settings.
In modern times, it has become common practice to tie the Sageo of the Daitō to the hakama string or similar.
However, during the Edo period, there was generally no such custom of tying the Sageo of the Daitō to the obi or hakama string. If it did exist, it would have been an extremely rare case.It is said that this practice emerged after the Meiji period, with one theory attributing its invention to Nakayama Hakudō-sensei(中山博道 先生 1872-1958).
This article represents what is considered “correct” within Tenshin-ryū and does not claim that this was the absolute norm or the sole orthodox practice during the samurai era. It simply introduces the traditions passed down in our school, and we have no intention of asserting that anything differing from this is incorrect.
At present, we have not found historical sources, such as illustrations or documents on customs, that clearly define the binding of the Sageo. On the contrary, descriptions related to the handling of swords suggest that the Sageo was often not tied. For example, there are records stating that the sword and the Sageo were handed over together as a single bundle.
While we will continue to investigate this topic, the absence of documentation does not necessarily mean such practices did not exist. Additionally, the teachings of a school are specific to that school, and we prioritize preserving and adhering to those teachings above all else.
