gata in tsuka

[jezah81]

What is meant by the term "gata" in the tsuka? i know its some kind of fault, but can anyone tell me what exactly it is?
Kind Regards,
Jeremy Hagop

[Daniel Lee]

Jeremy,

"gatagata" is an onomatopoeia and simply means your tsuka rattles. Is this with the tsuka itself, or the tsuba/seppa assembly?

[jezah81]

Thanks, tsuka itself i would say with all the fittings on. what do you mean by rattling? Like moving or just a squeeky noise? My tsuka makes a funny noise when i swing it. The tsuka doesnt move, nor does the fittings like the tsuba. Its only when i swing the sword i hear like a creaking sound.
Has anyone experienced this with their sword?
Kind Regards,
Jeremy Hagop

[Daniel Lee]

Normally the nakago has a snug fit inside the tsuka, and is silent, but it can rattle (you'll hear a wood and steel light banging type sound) if there is too much play between these two parts due to wear or a mismatch of furniture. Why not disassemble your sword and check the mekugi and structure of the tsuka as well? BTW, what are you working with Jeremy, and how old is the furniture for it?

[jezah81]

Hi,
Its got a snug fit inside the tsuka. Mekugi is nice and tight. No movement there. My sword is a steel iaito from swordstore.com, the batto type. I bought it in april this year. How can i tell if the tsuka isnt properly fitted on? It doesnt move , it just makes a creaking sound when i swing. Hard to explain over the net, its one of those things you have to see for yourself. If you can give me any advise, i will be much appreciative of it.
Kind Regards,
Jeremy Hagop

[Daniel Lee]

Hi Jeremy,

It IS a difficult thing to discuss over the net, isn't it? BTW, is the blade one that you can remove the tsuka on, and check it for stress first?

You might want to double-check with your teacher on your tenouchi and to-suji when cutting, to make sure both hands are working at their optimum rates, and the sword isn't being stressed when you are cutting.

[jezah81]

Thanks for your advise. I actually check my tenouchi all the time so i dont think it might be that. Also, it doesnt only make that sound when i cut, it makes it all the time even when not cutting. I have taken the tsuka off and i have not seen ANY signs of stress, i havent really cut much with it anyway. So, maybe i should show my sensei, im just worried he might ask me to get another sword!
Regards,
Jeremy Hagop

[Andrei Arefiev]

Jeremy,

Does your sword have silk tsuka-ito? I've read recently either here, or on IAIDO-L that it's normal for silk to creak when it is squeezed. So it might be a normal reaction and you don't have anything to worry about.

Within a week I'll hopefully get my own new iaito with silk ito, and I'll get a chance to see if it creaks.

Best,

[jezah81]

Yes, it is silk ito, but im pretty sure its not that. I might be wrong but it makes the most noise about 2 inches at the bottom of the tsuka.
Regards.,
Jeremy Hagop

[samuel-t]

It could be due to different humidity in Japan and Australia. Here in Sweden a quite common "problem" is that when the saya &/ tsuka is exposed to the much less humid air (than in Japan) the wood in dries up and the sword may rattle in saya &/ tsuka may become "rattly" as well. The saya can (generally) easily be fixed with a thin layer of epoxy inside koiguchi, and the tsuka can (generally) be fixed by adding a couple of small pieces of paper between fuchi and tsuba.

My two cents.

/Samuel