The first samurai swords we're actually straight bladed, single edged weapons imported from Korea and China known as chokuto, which were later replaced with the curved blade variety at the end of the 8th Century. The name of the curved blade swords which replaced them was Tachi. The reason for this transformation was samurai found that a curved sword could be drawn from the scabbard more swiftly and provided a far more effective cutting angle.
The point of a samurai sword is called a Kissaki. This is the hardest part of the sword to polish and forge and to hand create a quality one would require an extremely skilful artisan. The value of a sword is determined largely by the quality of the point.
Samurai would use wooden swords (Bokken) for practice for safety reasons as well as for preserving their real swords from unnecessary damage.
The samurai would give names to their swords as they believe in the sword lived their warrior spirit.
There are three main types of samurai sword. 1: Katana: The longest type of sword, over 24inches, generally used for outdoor combat. 2: Wakizashi: Around a third shorter than the Katana at between 12 and 24 inches, this was worn in indoor establishments by samurai for its obvious better manouverability indoors. 3: Tanto: A small knife used in much the same manner as a Wakizashi.
As part of the samurai sword making process a sword tester took the new blade and cut through the bodies of corpses or condemned criminals. They started by cutting through the small bones of the body and moved up to the large bones. Test results were often recorded on the nakago (the metal piece attaching the sword blade to the handle).
Shogun is the name of the most powerful samurai, and they would wear two samurai swords. A Katana and a Wakizashi. They had a license to dismember anybody who offended them.
Early samurai would fight on horseback, and they're weaponry in addition to samurai swords was bows and arrows.
Article by Nick Johnson of Japanese samurai swords Dot Net http://www.japanese-samurai-swords.net
The first samurai swords we're actually straight bladed, single edged... Read More
It is a very difficult task to determine which martial... Read More
Back in the early times of sword manufacture, the production... Read More
In judo it is important to throw your opponent by... Read More
Dermot O'Neill was born in 1905 in County Cork, Ireland.... Read More
The first prototype for Japanese samurai armor came about in... Read More
I asked a simple question at the last seminar:"How much... Read More
For many years The British Aikido Board (BAB) have shown... Read More
Most people have only been exposed to John Styers work... Read More
A matt pull is the simple act of lying on... Read More
If you ain't pissing anyone off, you're not doing anything... Read More
Frequently, I get asked about certifications, systems or methods. We... Read More
The Japanese Samurai were warriors. Highly trained, skilled and efficient... Read More
I was going to write about the BASICS of "practical... Read More
FROM THE BOOK: "PIERCING THE REICH" AUTHOR: JOSEPH E. PERSICOThey... Read More
I'm sure a lot of you remember the scene in... Read More
"Tokio Hirano (1922-1993) 8th Dan The Man Who Revolutionized Judo"... Read More
We always stress that NOTHING occurs in a vacuum. There... Read More
So you are thinking of starting to train in okinawan... Read More
"Will this work so that I can use it instinctively... Read More
As a Christian and a martial arts student, I have... Read More
The Myth perpetuated by Self Defense Oriented Martial ArtsI just... Read More
Pre-WWII Judo was a far different thing than what we... Read More
How practical are throwing techniques (nagewaza) for self-defense or street-fighting?... Read More
Shigeru Kimura Sensei 9th Dan Tani-Ha Shitoryu Shukokai had a... Read More
You may have the erroneous idea that force is not... Read More
"Fronting": The dodge to get in close to you. The... Read More
The following is a recent email I received; I thought... Read More
Custom build your own personal "system":Useful areas of training and... Read More
I was talking to a parent recently and they told... Read More
If you are outside the world of law enforcement, chances... Read More
Let's put the non-lethal fantasy to rest.1. Never trust your... Read More
Up until 30 years ago, JUDO was the martial art.... Read More
It is a very difficult task to determine which martial... Read More
Pre-WWII Judo was a far different thing than what we... Read More
I was talking to a parent recently and they told... Read More
A new book with a practical look at Aikido and... Read More
Do not believe that practicing "by rote" 1-2-3,etc. type "responses"... Read More
Most people have only been exposed to John Styers work... Read More
My father fed me this line every time I felt... Read More
Safety Awareness & Self Defense is the responsibility of each... Read More
How practical are throwing techniques (nagewaza) for self-defense or street-fighting?... Read More
We always stress that NOTHING occurs in a vacuum. There... Read More
Note: I wrote this essay regarding the development of Tekkenryu... Read More
The time you will be attacked you will most likely... Read More
1st Lady Assistant to Sensei Henry Ellis Ellis Schools... Read More
"Tokio Hirano (1922-1993) 8th Dan The Man Who Revolutionized Judo"... Read More
This is our last installment on "defining" the parameters of... Read More
Living in the Pacific Northwest is a challenge for any... Read More
Thanks to several centuries of enlightened teachings by extraordinary men... Read More
Fundamental "Nuts & Bolts" training for close combat should be... Read More
For Easterners, particularly Chinese, this MAY not be an issue.... Read More
"Combatives" from the root word COMBAT ? "to fight in... Read More
FROM THE BOOK: "PIERCING THE REICH" AUTHOR: JOSEPH E. PERSICOThey... Read More
The first samurai swords we're actually straight bladed, single edged... Read More
A matt pull is the simple act of lying on... Read More
The benefits of Martial Arts has always appealed its practitioners.... Read More
"HONE O ORERU" is a Japanese term that translates literally... Read More
I asked a simple question at the last seminar:"How much... Read More
One of the important lessons of Martial Arts training is... Read More
The Myth perpetuated by Self Defense Oriented Martial ArtsI just... Read More
Back in the early times of sword manufacture, the production... Read More
The Japanese Samurai were warriors. Highly trained, skilled and efficient... Read More
In judo it is important to throw your opponent by... Read More
Just as an aside. For those who would "box" us... Read More
Dermot O'Neill was born in 1905 in County Cork, Ireland.... Read More
Martial Arts |