Saya

The scabbard, called saya, is made from wood and used to protect the sword. Scabbards are normally made form Ho wood, are usually lacquered and have fittings appropriate to  period and style. Many saya have pockets on one side, or both, for "accessories". Small knives, called Kogatana, and / or a "grooming aid" called a Kogai, are commonly found.

Shirasaya  (白鞘)

A shirasaya is a 'white scabbard' and is used to store a sword.  They are also called resting scabbards, and hold blades that are otherwise not mounted. When a sword is sent to polish, the old scabbard is removed and a new shirasaya is made. This prevents old dirt or objects from scratching the new polish. This is considered a mandatory step to preserve a new polish.

Itomaki-no-Tachi (糸巻太刀)

Tachi are worn edge down, with the scabbards hanging on cords or chains attached a belt. In the example below, the cords have been tied around the scabbard in a decorative knot. In the itomaki no tachi style, the upper part of the scabbard is wrapped like the handle.

Uchigatana (打刀)

These scabbards are worn thrust through a belt, so they don't have the elaborate cords found on a tachi. A simpler cord, called a sageo, runs through a small knob (kurikata) on the side of the scabbard.

Aikuchi (合口)

Aikuchi refers to a mounting with no guard (tsuba).