sarute
Sarute(猿手): tassel loop, open spirals of heavy metal wire inserted into a hole barrel (hatome, 頭) of a kashira.
General form of udenuki (うでぬき, 腕貫) - leather thread on guard or pommel of a sword.
Used to hold a tassel, but sometimes tassel inserted directly into hole barrel (hatome, 頭) of a kashira.
Color differentiation of tassels:
* Blue/brown tassels - company grade officers (lieutenants and captains)
* Red/brown tassels - field grade officers (majors and colonels)
* Red/gold tassels - general grade officers.
External links
* Koshirae
External link
* sarute and hole barrel (hatome, 頭)
http://ohmura-study.net/image/10520.jpg
* Sarute inserted into a kashira barrel, holding a tassel
http://collectorsloot.homestead.com/files/kan3.jpg