Opinions on Rikko style tsukas?

[BeLikeWater]

Hi Everyone,

 

I'm curious as to anyone's opinions on the Rikko style "waisted"/hourglass tsuka shape. I have not had a chance to handle a katana with rikko yet, and was curious what people thought about its advantages and disadvantages; particularly with a handle length of 10-11 inches.

 

Thanks,

Kareem D

[John A Stuart]

I prefer a very long tsuka (15"-16") with a taper, haichi or rikko as it provides me a better grip. However, as ones hands become strong and the grip perfected imogata or morozon should not be detrimental. This is my preference only and your teacher may want you to use one style or another. John

[sanjuro]

The origins of the Rikko style tsuka I always understood was apparently more decorative rather than functional.

 

I have handled a katana with Rikko style tsuka and really didnt like it very much. The pronounced 'waist' in the tsuka is quite slim and tends to force the hands apart in a two handed cut, in an effort to find decent purchase on the grip. The result with a long stuka is a very exaggerated gapped grip that doesnt allow for correct manipulation of the blade in tameshigiri or indeed in kenjutsu. Iaijutsu is also quite uncomfortable, at least in the respect that you are always aware of the elongated grip and therefore not fully committed to the technique or execution of a cut. This of course is just one man's opinion. I was however warned against such a style tsuka by my Sensei, who thought the tsuka rather weak and prone to stress/breakage because of the narrow 'waist'. At the end of the day it comes down to what you are comfortable with, and my own preference is for the Tensho style.

[John A Stuart]

Hi Keith, I do not practice Iai being devoted to kata and tameshigiri. True, it depends on comfort, but, the speed and power generated with a long tsuka is terrible. It also can exaggerate flaws in the cut, which is good too. The waisting of the tsuka is not that extreme and the nakago is 11" so no worries on any weakness. John

[Nobody]

BTW, if you are talking about this term - “立鼓”, it reads Ryugo.

[John A Stuart]

Oh, it isn't 輪鼓 ? I guess 立鼓 is not only the drum for

猿楽 Sarugaku. I had always heard rikko in Romaji. Thankyou, Koichi san. John

[sanjuro]

Hi John.

 

Yes I see your point re the long tsuka. My experience of this style is indeed limited to just the one, and perhaps given time I may have warmed to the style for tameshigiri. Iaijutsu presents a different set of requirements of the tsuka which obviously do not depend solely upon generating speed and power in the cut, being more defined by a faster technique and a precision in targeting a specific and sometimes small area of the body. However, in my case it is a moot point since a few years ago I shattered my left wrist in a racing accident and my grip and range of movement in that wrist is now slightly limited. I no longer practice Tameshigiri unfortunately, and my practical sword is used only for Iai and some kata work.

[Carlo Giuseppe Tacchini]

being devoted to kata and tameshigiri.

 

What ? No more wrestling with polar bears ? Or is it for winter season only ?

[John A Stuart]

:lol: I've given it up. The SPCA got touchy about it. John

[BeLikeWater]

Thank you all for your opinions.

 

Kareem D