Koshirae

The koshirae is the clothing of the Japanese sword; the total collection of battle-style fittings that house the blades. Like clothing, many Samurai would have more than one set of koshirae, changing with the seasons or for special occasions. These sets of koshirae also sometimes outlive the blade inside, due to being destroyed or otherwise lost. Art in their own right, koshirae can submit for NBTHK papers just like a blade.