The Saya is made of two pieces of Japanese magnolia wood that are glued together. It is reinforced by the Sayajiri (end of the Saya), the Koiguchi, and of course, the lacquer. Unlike Shinken, Saya lacquers for Iaito are not made from traditional Urushi lacquer but from modern urethane lacquer, due to financial reasons.

Lacquers with a name ending in "ro" have a glossy finish, with a perfectly smooth surface. Lacquers with a name ending in "ishime" have a grainy finish, with a rough touch. The "ro" finish being smoother, the Saya is easier to slip in the Obi (belt).
If you plan on moving a lot with your Iaito, we recommend a "ishime" finish, which has a better resistance to scratches.

Inro (SY221): the large wave pattern goes all the way down to the Sayajiri. The wave pattern acts as a grip and therefore might have a slight impact on your practice. It is the standard Saya for the Yagyu Koshirae Iaito and is only available for the Yagyu model. Of course, you are free to select another model.

Kuroro (SY101): glossy black lacquer.

Kuro-ishime (SY102): grainy black lacquer (scratch resistant).

Cha-ishime (SY103): black brown lacquer (scratch resistant).

Hon Kuroishime (SY200) and Hon Chaishime (SY201): those two Saya have several additional layers of lacquer and a significantly tighter grain. They can be considered as "Deluxe Kuroishime/Chaishime".

Tsuishu (SY202): traditional red lacquer with black and gold painted patterns.

Kuro Hirumaki (SY203): Black "tornado" lacquer. The name refers to the traces left by a leech ("Hiru") that would go around the Saya.

Shu Hirumaki (SY204): Red "tornado" lacquer. The name refers to the traces left by a leech ("Hiru") that would go around the Saya.

Chogai (SY205): ground pearl oyster shell - trapped into black lacquer.

Shinobue (SY206): it is the name of a Japanese flute, which the lacquer patterns represent.

Inden (SY207): the name refers to a traditional artistic pattern, reproduced here in black and red.

Shuro (SY208): crimson red lacquer.

Inro (SY221): the large wave pattern goes all the way down to the Sayajiri.

Han Same (SY209): A piece of shark skin wrapped at the top of the Saya.

Han Fuji-maki (SY210): A piece of wicker wrapped at the top of the Saya.

Kuroishime / Kuroro (SY211): upper part Kuroishime style (which prevents finger traces when grabing the Saya), then Kuroro lacquer to the bottom.

Wakasa (SY212): ground shells, pine needles, coleseeds or rice husks embedded with specific artistic patterns into red lacquer. Can not be combined with Maki/Kizami finish.