Different sword lengths for different ryu.

[zentsuji2]

Regarding the length of sword used during your chosen martial arts,have you ever crossed swords /bokken with an expert who prefers a shorter blade.

During many battles a good fighter will choose a place suited to his or her skill.

Samurai guards chose small katana,to protect their lords,as a fight may occur in a geisha house,small alleyway etc etc.

I would love to have any of the skills mentioned in this thread,but feel to become complete,a martial art that employs all 3 sword sizes is best,Katana,wakazashi,tanto

This would prepare the user for any event,even in the streets.

 

I like the thinking of musashi weapons,and terrains,always differ so one must adapt to the situation ,when confronted with a large samurai,huge sword he fashioned an oar into a bokken and won.

Is there such a martial art which employs all three,or does the handling of a larger swod make you adept at using all .

 

Not to offend just a layman asking,who would love to learn any style mentioned.

Best regards.Ian Bellis

[John A Stuart]

Most styles have seiho for kodachi and tachi. There are styles that practice tanto as well as a multitude of other weapons. If your style is nito you would use swords that are able to be wielded with one hand. It is not only style, but, physique as well. John

[zentsuji2]

Thanks John, I wondered how the Samurai did it,

When taught as young boys,I wondered whether the three swords were taught differently with each blade,

Or that the katakana, gave the skill to handle all, tanto, wakazashi and katana.

 

Never read about swords being used yet,but surmised each had a different function in a fight,hence q technique would be taught for each blade separately.

 

Any links on this John.

Thanks, Ianb

[John A Stuart]

Look at the links here where it says 'See Also'; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenjutsu for diiferent styles you can investigate. John

[Ken-Hawaii]

Ian, this might be a more appropriate question for you to ask on my e-Budo.com Web-site, as we specifically address various martial arts, including iaido ryuha.

 

From my own two-plus decades of iaido training, I use a 2.45-shaku blade in Muso Jikiden Eishin-Ryu training, which is a bit longer than the average. But in Shinto-Ryu where we use Nihonto to train, I prefer my 2.25-shaku Bizen blade, as it can be maneuvered much more quickly than my longer blade. We also train with kodachi, jo, & tanjo, & our dojo is outside on the top of a mountain, so we certainly get used to training on real terrain.

 

Ken

[zentsuji2]

Thanks John and Ken.

I will look into this and have a look at the site Ken.

I would like to understand the sword styles used with Samurai swords,to gain a better understanding of what i am collecting,

I have practised moves with cavalry sabres ,1796,rapiers and when holding the Samurai with two hands it feels awkward,however its because i havnt a clue what to do.

When i see an expert,wielding it like an extension of himsel,it becomes a different thing altogether.

 

Another thing to look into,this hobby just keeps giving,thanks both of you for your guidance and help.

Best regards.Ian Bellis