Saya (scabbard)

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Saya (scabbard)
A katana and saya.
Japanese name
Kanji:	鞘
Hiragana:	さや
Transliterations - Revised Hepburn: saya

Saya (鞘, Saya^?) is the Japanese term for a scabbard, and specifically refers to the scabbard for a sword or knife.

Saya are normally manufactured from very lightweight wood, with a coat of lacquer on the exterior. The wood is light enough that great care must be taken when drawing the sword; incorrect form may result in the blade of the sword slicing through the saya and severing one or more fingers. The saya also has a wooden knob on one side (kurigata) for attaching a braided cord (sageo), and may have a metal butt cap (kojiri).