Hirumaki (Leech Spirals)　samurai-jpn.com

Hirumaki (Leech Spirals)

Hirumaki Tachi

This technique has been used since the Heian period (794-1185) to create strip-shaped metal plates made by hammering out iron, brass, copper, silver, or alloys based on them. Various historical weapons such as spears, Naginata hilts, and cudgels have been reinforced.

Traditional Japanese Techniques

Wrapping in cowhide	Cutting, forming process	Hirumaki Spirals	Finishing
			BGM Playing
The flat scabbard is made by scraping the relatively thin wooden base to the utmost thinness. The handle is similarly scraped thinly to match the scabbard, and both are carefully wrapped in wet cowhide for reinforcement.	Cut the metal plate for Himumaki to a width of about 12.00mm to 14.00mm and form it into two strips. After wrapping the rawhide around the handle and the scabbard, check that both the front and back sides are correctly wrapped with the two strips simultaneously.	When Himumaki is formed with copper, the surface is coated with mercury, and silver leaf is placed on top of it and then broiled to plate it in silver. In this case, reddish black rust tends to appear over time. When the base plate is made of pure silver, the width of the base plate and the gaps caused by narrowing the width of both the handle and the scabbard are similarly adjusted in a proper spiral shape, and the warp is tightened so that there is no looseness.	Black lacquer is applied to the space between the hirumaki and after drying, metal fittings are attached to the handle and scabbard to complete the koshirae. Click here for the Tachi koshirae of pure silver Hirumaki.