Kohaze & Seme Kohaze are traditional toggles used to fasten the takahimo cords of the Do or Sode on samurai armor. The kohaze is the “male” toggle, traditionally crafted from iron or copper and has a “lozenge shape”. The seme kohaze is the “female” toggle and typically has an oval shape, like a double holed bead. The aibiki (strap cord) passes through both toggles, loops around and back through the toggle, then ties to the respected armor part. The seme kohaze slides up, providing slack for the male toggle to slide through. The seme kohaze then slides back down, closing the slack, thus trapping and securing the male toggle into place. The holes will accommodate a cord up to 7mm thick
Iron Mountain Armory craft their kohaze toggles from testu (iron). Faithfully reproduced from original armor dating back to the late Sengoku era. Now you can purchase these same kohaze to restore, replace or craft your own traditional Samurai Armor as it should be.
Kohaze & Seme Kohaze Features:
This is an in-stock item. Please allow 4 to 5 days for shipping of your order.
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References: “The Samurai Armour Glossary” by Ian Bottomley & David Thatcher / “The Watanabe Art Museum Samurai Armour Collection Volume 1: Kabuto & Mengu” By Trevor Absolon