Imported Japanese Cotton Ito

Ito is the 'cord' that is being used to wrap around the handle of your katana (tsuka) and is available in various materials and colors.

The most common wrapping method is called Hineri Maki where the ito is folded over twice at a 90 degree angle at the crossing and results in a nice diamnd shape. Tsumami-maki is another form of tsukamaki where the ito is pinched at the crossing. Another very famous methode is the Katate maki or also know over here as the Battle wrap.