How
to Tie a Iaido Sageo Knot (Cho
Musubi sageo knot method)
This is my favorite method
of tying a sageo knot for my iaido sword. This method
is both a formal knot used to display your sword or an
efficient method of tying your sageo knot that may be
used everyday. I love this knot because is is so easy
to release the tied knot and it is very pleasing to look
at. This knot takes lots of practice to master but once
you have mastered this way of tying your sageo knot it
should take about 2 minutes to tie and 2 seconds to release
the sagaeo knot see the last illustration
on the bottom
1.
Place the sword on a level surface, make sure the ends of
the sageo cord are even and make a small loop with the cord
placed under the sword saya and on the left of the sageo cord
anchor.
2. Push a small loop through the first loop on the left of
the sageo cord anchor.
3. Make sure to maintain the small loop and carefully bend
over the sageo cord towards you.
4.
Carefully wrap the sageo cord around the bottom of the saya.
5. Push through a second small loop just like the first small
loop pointing towards you
6. Maintain the two small loops and carefully bend over the
sageo cord towards you.
7.
Carefully wrap the sageo cord around the bottom of the saya.
8. Push through a third small loop just like the first and second
small loops pointing towards you
9 . Maintain the three small loops and carefully push all the
loops together to make three neat and uniform loops.
10.
Carefully pinch a small amount of sageo cord.
11. Push through the small loop through all three of the formed
loops, carefully tighten up the knot by pushing the loops together,
try to make the three loops just big enough to fit the remaining
sageo cord.
12 . Pull the remaining sageo cord through, pulling and tightening
up the knot.
To
release the knot just pull the ends of the sageo cord
and knot will easily come apart. A beautiful knot with
a quick release.
Reference Source: Japanese Swordsmanship, by Gordon Warnerand Donn
F. Draeger
