Koshirae
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The Koshirae is the mounting 'worn' by the Japanese sword (e.g. Katana), when it is being worn by its owner, whereas shirasaya is the wooden sheath and grip the sword wears when in storage.
In the proper manner a Koshirae should be presented with tsuka to the left. The origin of this custom is that you cannot unsheath the sword easily this way. Also, in times of peace, koshirae is stored with tsuka to the left, while in times of war - to the right (always ready to be unsheathed).
[edit] Origin of the word
The word Koshirae is derived from the verb "koshirareru", which is no longer in use nowadays. Usually "tsukuru" is used instead; both mean "make, create, manufacture". More accurate is actually "Toso", which means sword-furniture: "Tosogu" are the parts of the mounting in general, and "Kanagu" stands for those made of metal. "Gaiso" are the "outer" mountings, as opposed to "Toshin", the "body" of the sword.
Source: Koshirae: Nihon Token Gaiso - The Mountings of Japanese Swords, by C. U. Guido Schiller.
[edit] Individual parts of the koshirae
Kashira - butt cap on the end of the hilt
Fuchi - hilt collar (above the guard/tsuba)
Same-kawa - ray skin wrapping of the handle
Menuki - ornaments on the hilt (generally under the tsuka-ito)
Tsuba - sword guard
Tsuka - hilt
Tsuka-maki - silk wrapping on the hilt a.k.a "tsuka-ito" or "ito-maki"
Habaki - wedge shaped metal collar used to keep the sword from falling out of the scabbard and to support the fittings below
Seppa - washers above and below the tsuba of a samurai sword
Kozuka - decorative handle fitting for the kogatana; a small utility knife fit into a 'pocket' on the scabbard
Kogai - spike for hair arranging carried sometimes as part of Katana-Koshirae in another 'pocket'
Wari-bashi - metal chop-sticks fit in a 'pocket' on the scabbard
Kuri-kata - knob on the side of the scabbard for attaching Sageo
Sageo - cord used to tie scabbard to the belt/obi when worn
Koiguchi - mouth of the scabbard or its fitting
Kojiri - end of the scabbard or its fitting
Kaishizuno - a hook shaped fitting used to lock the scabbard to the obi while drawing
