or for suicide by means of slashing the jugular veins and carotid artery in the left side of the neck. Koshirae gallery Parts of the koshirae Saya is the Japanese term for a scabbard, and specifically refers to the scabbard for a sword or knife. The saya of a koshirae (scabbards for practical use) are normally manufactured from very lightweight wood, with a coat of lacquer on the exterior. Correct drawing and sheathing of the blade involves contacting the mune (the back of the blade) rather than ha (the edge) to the inside of the scabbard. The saya also has a on one side for attaching a braided cord (sageo), and may have a shitodome (mounting loop) to accent the as well as an made from metal. Traditionally the koiguchi (the throat of the scabbard) and kojiri (the chape) were made from buffalo horn. The Saya is divided in parts: A is a hanging cord made of silk, cotton or leather that is passed through the hole in the (栗形) of a Japanese sword's saya. There are a number of different methods for wrapping and tying the sageo on the saya for display purposes. Other uses for the sageo are tying the sword to the samurai and hojojutsu. The samurai felt the sageo formed a spiritual bond between them and the sword, and they were very particular about tying it correctly when the sword was not in use. Kuri-kata The kurikata (栗形) is a knob that is attached to the scabbard of a Japanese sword. The sageo (cord) that secures the saya of the sword to the obi (belt) goes through a hole in the kurikata. Kojiri The kojiri (鐺) is the end cap of the scabbard or the protective fitting at the end of the scabbard. Kogatana and kozuka Kogatana (小刀), a small utility knife that fits into a pocket on the scabbard, the kozuka is the decorative handle for the kogatana. The kōgai (笄) is a spike for hair arranging that fits into a pocket on the saya. The umabari (馬針) is a small knife that is a variation of the kogatana, it fits into a pocket on the saya. Tsuka The tsuka (柄) is the hilt or handle of a Japanese sword. The tsuka is divided in the following parts: Menuki The menuki (目貫) are ornaments on the tsuka (generally under the tsuka-ito); to fit into the