Mekugi Pegs for Standard Tsuka - Pack of 4

Katana Tsuka (hilt/handle) are held together with a single small bamboo peg called a Mekugi.  They are not riveted, glued, or screwed together.  A samurai staked his life on that one small peg.  Two or three poorly done Mekugi are not as good as a single properly done one. Mekugi pins should be removed and inspected often.  You should not wait for the Mekugi to fail or you might be in for a nasty surprise. The Mekugi should not be dented, bent, or show any damage.  It should be replaced immediately if it does show any sign of damage.  A rattling Tsuba may be a sign that the Mekugi need replacement and should be inspected.  An improperly shaped Mekugi Ana (peg hole) can cause Mekugi damage and should be corrected.  The Mekugi should not need excessive force to be removed or reinserted.  This is a sign that the blade is not fully seated in the Tsuka (handle) or the Mekugi Ana (peg hole) is not properly shaped.

Chopsticks are not the proper material for Mekugi!  There are many varieties of bamboo that are very soft and not usable.  Good Mekugi are made of a special aged bamboo called Susudake すす竹 . The Mekugi should be carved from the outer part of the bamboo with the tightest grain.  This is the hardest part of the bamboo.  Wood is not a good substitute for bamboo.  Wood Mekugi snap easier than bamboo which tends to deforms.

Our Mekugi are crafted from proper bamboo, and come in a set of 4.