Kusazuri proportions

[mrcunningham]

I'm planning my new dou, and I've got a conundrum. I don't think my proportions are right. Here are my measurements, with proportions taken from Baron Edward's site.

For the record, I like the look of wider kusazuri in front, so I calculated the size of the kusazuri in one set of three and one set of four. Also, each set is 5 lames, each lame 2.5" "tall" meaning, with the overlap, each set will be 10.5" tall.

Front:
Armpit measurement: 21.75"
Waist: 19"
FA and FW divided by 3, rounded to the nearest 1/4 inch gives me 3 sets of 5 lames, the top 6.25" wide and the bottom 7.25" wide.

Back:
Armpit: 22.75
Waist: 20.25"
BA and BW divided by 4, rounded, gives 4 sets of 5 lames, 5" at the top and 5.75" at the bottom.

So are these sets of kusazuri really skinny or is it just me? A difference in measurement of just 1/2" on each side over a height of over 10" sounds odd. Do I have the measurements right? Should I add an extra 1" to the base width?

Any help would be righteous.

[Saionji Shonagon]

Sept 26, 2008 13:28:35 GMT -5 mrcunningham said:

I'm planning my new dou, and I've got a conundrum. I don't think my proportions are right. Here are my measurements, with proportions taken from Baron Edward's site.

Were those measurements taken with you in what you're planning to wear under the armor, Miz Scarlett?

[mrcunningham]

Believe it or not, I thought that through this time My last suit, not so much. That's why I all of a sudden have a waist measurement of 39" and a 44" chest. I regularly have breathing problems in my current steel kit. Now, this suit may be TOO large, but I'll deal with that when it's done and make the 4th even better.

[Kurodachi no Mykaru]

Honda-san,

Do the dou first. Measure the circumference at the widest point. divide by 7. This is the width of your bottom lame. Measure the circumference at the bottom of the dou (at the line for your yurugi ito) divide by 7. This is the width of your top lame. Adjust the difference on the lames in between to smooth the contour.

[AJBryant]

And always round UP. You can have more material on the kusazuri and look good. Less material -- looks crappy.


effingham

[mrcunningham]

Sept 26, 2008 17:29:15 GMT -5 Kurodachi no Mykaru said:

Honda-san,

Do the dou first. Measure the circumference at the widest point. divide by 7. This is the width of your bottom lame. Measure the circumference at the bottom of the dou (at the line for your yurugi ito) divide by 7. This is the width of your top lame. Adjust the difference on the lames in between to smooth the contour.

I thought this is what I was doing, but perhaps I misunderstand.

Or are you telling me not to measure differently for the front 3 and rear 4 kusazuri?

I'm making a ni-mai okegawa dou (in sugake). I guess I'm worried the set of kusazuri hanging around the hinge will look odd...don't I want one set of the kusazuri to hang right in the center of the front?

[Kurodachi no Mykaru]

Remember 1 the back is longer and 2 the kusazuri will overlap on the right side. Start lacing the middle front kusazuri 1st and work outward. Yes, you will probably double lace and fudge a bit at the ends but this is typical.
You are correct that you don't want the yurugi ito overlapping the hinge, but that is more lacing tweak than size tweak.

[mrcunningham]

Ah HA! Now I get it! Thank you so much, Mykaru-dono!