Samurai Swords: Evolution and Overview
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- čas přidán 6. 05. 2020
- An overview and look into the evolution of the iconic swords of the Samurai. This video will dive into into early designs like Tachi to later sword designs like the Katana, while also going over each component of the sword. We will also look to understand why Japanese swords became so world-renowned.
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Sources Used:
"Samurai Swords: A Collector's Guide" by Clive Sinclaire
"Mastering the Art of the Samurai Sword" by Cary Nemeroff
"This is Kendo" by J. Sasamori and G. Warner
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Music:
"Kugo-Ka" by Akira Ifukube
"Battotai" Japanese Army March
Video footage (In order):
"The Secret World of the Japanese Swordsmith"(1997)
"Gohatto"(1999)
"Iaido - ippon me mae"
Kendo motion picture from 1897
"Welt der Wunder: Katana vs Longsword"
"Kill Bill: Volume 1" (2003)
Artwork/Images:
Classical art, which in most cases can be considered public domain.
Art from Osprey Publications.
Museum Exhibits.
Other modern artist renditions, if you see your work in this video please contact me so that I can give you proper credit!
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Social Media:
Facebook: / theshogunateyoutube
Twitter: / shogunatethe
Support the channel on Patreon! www.patreon.com/theshogunatey...
#Samurai #Japan #History
Small correction at 10:49 the Menuki is actually a decorative fitting while the actual peg simply called Mekugi.
Great commentary.
Please tell us about "武士道 BUSIDOU".
Many Westerners don't understand this.
Samurai philosophy and change of SENNGOKUZISAI and EDOZIDAI. Meaning of SEPPUKU. Loyalty. Simple life.Suppression of emotions.葉隠 HAGAKURE.
"武士道 Bushido" Nitobe Inazo
”葉隠入門 Introduction to HAGAKURE" Yukio Mishima is very interesting.
Another correction for you at 8:31. The term is "uchigatana" 打刀 not "uichigatana".
@@jamesfrankiewicz5768 It can be translated either way, the translation I took was from the sources I listed.
i know most of the beginning of this video is following the legends rather than actual findings.. but another one should be said:
Single edge daos that would bare a remarkable resemblance to the pre taichi style japanese single edged swords were already being made in China by 200bc, in many many hundreds of thousands and eventually millions., Almost certain many of this old chinese army surplus single edged swords were exported to korea and eventually japan.
Also the chinese did fold their steels and their quality was remarkably good for the time.
Could you post a link to where one could purchase a real sword?
Remeber, switching to your secondary is faster than reloading your bow.
Modern warfare 2 flashbacks
Call of Duty : Feudal Japan
Dunn lmao
Your fruit killing skills are remarkable
Too close for missiles switching to guns
The Honjo Masamune is probably sitting in some American’s basement who’s great grandpa smuggled it back home and doesn’t even know what it is
💯
lmao. sad but quite possibly true.
Most case it’s sitting in some rich ass private collectors or corrupt officials home. Worst case it’s rusted away in some idiots basement.
@@therealoxcooper4616 only as a reply I inherited from my uncle a samurai sword that he received from an officer during the Japanese surrender of the 2nd word war this is not a factory version but a sword that was passed down generations of this officer's family as the officer explained. This swords history is well documented and thru my research a highly desirable sword. I recognize the historical value to the history of sword smithing as well as Japanese culture I'm neither rich or influential but am a caretaker of this artifact and value its significance. It is my most valuable possession I am humbled to possess it and have taught my children and their children of its importance that's all I'll say aragoto.
@@robertdibella408 *arigato
the US: BAN THE SWOOOOORDS!
Kurosawa: Yo check out these badass movies I made lmao
The US: GIMME THE SWOOOOORDS!
Like that Old school meme with the knights opening and closing the gates
yeah irony is a bitch lol. Intact gunto with the imperial seal are worth a fortune, while other either purposly destroyed or thrown into some boomers closet for 60 years rusting away.
Binge watching some samurai stuffs after playin ghost of tdushima
Facts 💯
Nailed it
XD
I want the game but I have a dumbass Xbox, I have sekiro tho
@@arrowsaurus7561 Xbox is the better system, but PS does have the better exclusives.
Wait so the katana can't cut thourgh robots or space and time?
Btw: absolutely love this channel!
Mainly they cut through peasants.
Hey kisamaaa!
@themailman43 The Katana isn't meant for that. It was perfect for it's purpose.
Ahem they cut through thieves
I plan on traveling to Japan in October I would love to be able to meet with you someway somehow so I can see where to go get the best summarize swords and the best kimonos possible in Kyoto
Being used to read and watch lots of bulls**t about the Samurai and the Katana, is truly refreshing to watch a really well documented video, my respects.
The evolution of the katana was well detailed, I greatly appreciate.
Thanks for this video. If anyone is interested in researching the classical schools (koryu) of swordmanship, mentioned at 8:08 , some of the oldest schools (ryu-ha) from the Muromachi period are Nen-ryu, Kage-ryu, Kukishin-ryu and Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto-ryu. They are the ancestor schools of many other fighting styles that developed later in the 16th and 17th centuries.
It is fascinating that some of these schools survived through direct transmission. Katori Shinto-ryu is still practiced and taught today. Kukishin-ryu survived through different branches. These were sogo bujutsu schools - a comprehensive martial systems that taught not only the use of various weapons like yari, naginata, sword, jutte, sticks of different lengths, concealed weapons (kakushi buki) and unarmed fighting, but also tactics and strategy (hyoho), information gathering, espionage and other esoteric knowledge.
Hi, one thing I think you missed talking about is, that besides mass produced "Samurai Swords" made in china in the present, there is also the creation of the Iaito in post WW2 Japanese society. The Iaito being made of an aluminium-zink alloy makes it technically not a weapon and a piece of sports equipment. So it is easily purchasable by the average citizen, and is used for Iaido practice a lot more often that a steel sword. (mostly for Kata, for Tamashigiri you still need a steel sword) Also If you wish to travel with an Iaito you need the proper paperwork showing it is an Iaito and not a steel sword when boarding a flight. (I've had to go through this extra security headache several times.)
I was actually very close to elaborating on modern Iaido a little more but ended up cutting it just for the sake of time. That is a great thing to point out though!
@@TheShogunate Thanks
Iaito is easily recognized by a magnet. Since it's made od non-ferrous metal, the magnet doesn't stick. I know people who traveled from Japan with a iaito and the magnet test was sufficient. Steel swords definitely require paperwork though.
@@goldenrootsnet, all swords are steel unless aluminium. Some are stain;les and some are carbon.
@@KaptainCanuck I have never seen a stainless steel practice sword. As far as I know stainless steel is only used for props or wall hangers.
What a great content about the samurai sword. I'm very amazed by the fact when you mention about the Gunka song Battotai lyrics. I also think that it's quite ironic for Hideyoshi to initiate the sword hunt policy whilst he is not originally from the samurai class when he rose to power. Haha.
The Tachi and masamune blades have my total 👍
I remember about wearing the blade up or down also depends where you go to, for example when being an emissary or visiting a friend, having the blade tip pointed down mean you come in peace (as it is harder to pull the sword out).
Kamiizumi Nobutsuna kind of renewed the interest of Kenjutsu in the early Sengoku period and inspired various swordsman at the time to learn their own sword style, like Yagyu clan and then later on Musashi Miyamoto.
I often wonder during Sengoku period, with the famous generals, did they use these cheap mass produced blade during their skirmish while their highly priced swords were left at home and only carried during peace time or as a investment. Although after Imagawa Yoshimoto got killed by Oda Nobunaga, they did find his priced Soza Samonji on his corpse which Nobunaga claimed as his personal sword.
I heard that the Showato or Shingunto as it is called from WW2 has been disowned by the Japanese katana society as they view it as an "Evil blade" who committed alot of atrocities during WW2.
Katana is so heavy it need to be pointed down to come out of scabbard ROFL
I doubt they actually used a sword very often, so they probably didn't need another one.
They used their swords to chop off the heads of their POWS. British, Canadians, Australians, chinese in the Nanking Massacre, innocent civilians, etc.
@@fujiwaramichaelm6686 And? They should have finished the job in china.
@@romanstaniszewski1030 A katana is no heavier than most other types of swords. A well-made katana actually has a well balanced feel to it, and can be drawn from its saya smoothly worn edge up, bringing the well-practiced Iaidoka gracefully into various kamae
This is a great video! Thanks for your work, I just finished watching Akira Kurosawa’s films Ran and Yojimbo. I was confused as to why some of the swords worn by the Samurai looked different, however this video helped me understand that some of the samurais in the movie were wearing tachi and not katanas. I did notice that mainly cavalry and other mounted samurai were wearing tachis.
I think one important element in the myth of the Japanese sword being an all-powerful cutting machine comes from the fact that in the 19th century most European swords were carried in steel scabbards, which resulted in edges becoming blunt much faster while Japanese swords were still carried in wooden scabbards which helps to preserve the edge. So it's not necessarily that Japanese swords were inherently superior in this way so much as that they were slightly better taken care of and thus the typical Japanese sword would be sharper than the typical European sword.
Yes I’ve got both and handled both ancient European swords and I own one. They are sharp but nothing like ancient Japanese swords which you can shave with. My dullest katanas from WW2 are sharper than the sharpest European swords. There are some BS tall tales out there though that Katanas can cut through a machine gun barrel which was totally false.
Slightly? they were much better taken care of then European swords
@@Dre-yd2xh japanese have been recycling for 1,000 years. scarce resources of all kinds are shown immense respect. I lived with Japanese in Van. for a decade, and didn't have to "'splain to Lucy" best practices, WHEREAS my cauc. friends it was always such a FIGHT to get them on board. We didn't use the dishwasher for a decade as in Japan they scrape, then rinse. Conserves water. It seems to be bred into the culture.
In the 19th century swords were also kept blunt unless they went to war. While I still could fruit ninja with such a blunt sword. The steel scabbard is not much of a problem as the blade is pinched by two springs, it is also probably a better protection against rust because the leather cover has heavily rusted the scabbard. Besides their blunted swords they had mules (abused swords used in training) and wooden sticks for stabbing exercises.
I would say that the art on how they using each sword is also important.
See, European Longswords were not really sharp, since knights usually relied on strength to deliver blow to enemies. This resulted in knights mostly thrust and stab the sword rather than swing and slash them (like modern Fencing). Therefore they needed a double edged sword to accomodate them. No need to be razor like, but at least sharp enough to poke the pork belly. So long as the knight is strong enough.
Comparing that to Japanese Katana, unlike knights. Samurai relied on agility to deliver blow. So their movement mostly and swing and slash (like modern Kendo). What they need is a razor sharp blade, either single or double edged, to accomodate this. That's why Katana is so sharp, that it can cut bamboo in ease. It's to accomodate how the samurai fight.
I absolutely loved this video thank you for providing so much incredible detail! I can really tell how much passion you have for this subject and sharing it with the world :) thank you for your channel, incredibly glad i found it! the quality is truly amazing ❤
Another day, another video by The Shogunate! ngl these videos are sooo well produced! Hoping for more samurai content in the future! Keep up the good work!!!
Such a great,well put together,and narrated video. this channel needs many many more subscribers!
Great video essay on a brief history of Japanese swords and your love for them. Love your channel bro, a lot of info that checks out with what I’ve learned in university with images
Technically Jin Sakai shouldn't be using a Katana but a Tachi..
Actually in the Japanese dialogue he specifically refers to his sword as a tachi, not a katana. Idk why Sucker Punch just didn’t roll with that into the sword design too.
I also noticed some parts of the translation into english is also wrong..
The game calls it a tachi even though he wears it like a katana . And he could have used either one. Dont know where you get he wouldn't be using a katana. The katana was used from 1180s and on . The Mongols invaded Japan in 1274. It would also depend on what he wanted to use. The Katana was shorter than the tachi and was quicker to draw and better for close quarters fighting. It's a myth that the samurai created the katana after Mongol invasion. The samurai used the katana for around a hundred years before this. Japan did make better katanas after the invasion.
@@chadhumphries1445 During the Kamakura period, a proto-katana did exist in the form of a shorter tachi as you said, but it was called an uchigatana or a tsubagatana and was normally used by lower-ranking samurai, which clearly Jin is not. Katanas didn't see wide use until around the Muromachi period. In addition, tachis were better for horse-mounted combat, and in the intro sequence that is clearly what Jin's sword is supposed to be.
@@456MrPeople IIRC it was the mongol invasions that really started the development and (later) popularity of the Katana as the Tachi weren't as good against the mongols for various reasons.
Lord Shimura sent me here
I hate him. He killed Kage
Reward: +2 Silk and massive legend upgrade
Garrett OHara a Random Samurai killed our horse in the game
Lemon Squezee but Kage still died because of lord shimura
MOst informative !!! Great presentation. Thank you for taking the time to document this video
A wonderfully informative video. you cover all aspects regarding the swords of Nippon. It was refreshing to hear the kodachi mentioned and placed in its importance as part of sword developement. Also, I was impressed that your closing comments point to the important relationship of Nihonto and Samurai culture. Well done Sir.
I love your videos! My favorite swords are tachi and katana especially when they have wooden scabbard that make them look very beautiful
Been waiting for you to do this video!
I really appreciate this post. Thank you so much for sharing this information. One of the things that I find to be deeply concerning is that I sense from some what seems to be almost a resentment of Japanese swords by those from other cultures or ethnic backgrounds. Rather than present things in a balanced way, it seems that said persons go out of their way to talk about the shortcomings of the blades rather than assess them as one would any other physical tool: by its strengths and weaknesses and overall utility.
You very thoughtfully brought up all the areas that are deeply pertinent: strengths, weaknesses, history, cultural significance, successes, failures, evolution, and context. Great work and thank you again, Sir.
Absolutely fascinating. A wonderful journey about a beautiful work of art.
Great narration and very informative, thank you
can't believe that this video doesn't have more views considering that is one of the best on the topic.
Soo cool man... samurai swords have always held some sort of deep fascination for me.. this was a very well done and informative video.. thank-you !!
Absolutely fascinating and beautifully narrated.
Fantastic video ! It is important to understand history in order to
understand where we are today. How things have changed and grown...and
in some ways not grown. Such a great video for martial artists or anyone
that loves history. Thanks so much - Martial Arts Life Style 🇨🇦
Lovely and informative video! Underrated, definately! ^^
Excellent video. , I started cosplaying in mid 2000 and I was into characters who wields the katana and of course you can’t carry a real one cosplaying . So I disassembled a real but cheapo katana and learned the parts and remade them with plywood and other materials. I used the real tsuba and made sure it slides out well . Silly way to learn katana isn’t it lol .But I practiced the correct etiquette even with my plywood katana😉 because At that time I was studying aikido with kenjutsu as well.
Thank you for this. A lot of people think Katana were made of only crappy pig iron, but rich Samurai had swords made of quality European steel.
Love this type of content especially how u present it. Excellent work, earned a new sub!
Thank you!
Liked and subscribed for a very interesting documentary on a subject that has fascinated me since I was a child.
An excellent informative and well presented educational, thank you! 👍👌
Personally, the swords of Japan is significant in a way that due to it's history, the process of how to make it and the artistic value of the sword itself makes it a sword above all swords. The legends passed down about it, the knowledge that one's ancestors weilded one into battle and/or the idea of holding a piece of ancient times makes it special.
I would very much love for you to do an extended video of the nodachi and lesser known nagamaki.
While I do think that samurai swords are more intertwined culturally with their users than in Europe, I think the reasons are different and more nuanced than what you state, because those reasons were true in Europe at different times as well. The wearing of swords, particularly in a town and in peacetime, would have been often likewise prohibited by anyone outside of the nobility or someone performing their duties (e.g. guards) during the high middle ages and early Renaissance Europe. In the areas of the Holy Roman Empire (now German-speaking areas), the messer (literally "knife") was a single-edged weapon that was specifically designed around skirting the legal definitions of what a "sword" was by only having one edge and having a handle affixed to the tang similarly to a katana or kitchen knife. Only after the rise of the merchant middle class in the 15th-16th centuries did civilian sword wearing become acceptable (in some parts of Europe anyway, some it was never allowed officially), and not until the 16th-17th centuries did it become common. The sword was likewise an extremely powerful symbol of professional warriors and the nobility in Europe and the West, and remains so today (see: knighting ceremonies, military dress uniforms). Not that these aren't reasons why the swords of Japan are so deeply associated with the samurai, but in addition to these, the samurai's image did not change as drastically as in Europe, where swords changed in shape, length, and use remarkably from the early middle ages ("viking" swords), to single-handed arming swords, two handed longswords, greatswords, other military sword forms such as the messer, sidesword/early rapier, sabre, cutlass, and basket-hilted swords (e.g. claymore, schiavona, etc.) and civilan swords for duelling (rapier, smallsword). Some of these are single-edged weapons, and some double. You could barely go over a hundred years in Europe without seeing a major difference in the shape of the most commonly used swords. In Japan, although there are swords of differing sizes, the overall form (single-edged, curved) and aesthetic of the swords remain very consistent over hundreds of years, which makes the weapon iconic. Since, during most of that time, the primary (and some cases, only) users of those weapons were samurai, those swords become intrinsically associated with them. In the end, though, who could use swords and the cultural context of the sword, was much more similar between Europe and Japan, than different. Thanks for coming to my TED talk.
Thanks that is good information - will have to watch your talk sometime.
Katana was not the primary weapon in ancient Japan warfare, it was more a status symbol aka a decoration.
The samurai are fascinating culture. And the sword is legendary.
I'm new to collecting, just the last two years, I find this very educational.
I really enjoyed this great video 👍
What a good quality and informative video!
Thank you for the history of Samurai sword.
just marvelous, love all of it.
Thank you for this lesson, I want to purchase a Katana blade but I wanted to know the history of it so I can respect the culture it came from this was really great and informative.
Amazing video, as a kenjutsu & battojutsu trainee i found this video really interesting and helpful, cheers from Mexico.
They look beautiful. I feel like the simpler the design, the more elegant it is. I did practice Iaido, and I intend to try Kendo once this damn plague is over (I really miss sports).
At about 3:53 it says that the low carbon steel core makes the sword lighter. Actually the difference in density between high and low carbon steel is negligible. In fact high carbon steel is usually the one that is slightly less dense. Also at 10:50 you say that the retaining peg is called menuki. The correct name is mekugi while menuki refers to decorative parts tucked under the hilt wrap.
Good job in summing up the basic information. In case of nihonto it is really difficult. There are so much details one can talk about. Please make a video on differend kinds of maedate in the future!
Good overview. I would like to see videos on the Field Sword and the Naginata bladed sword.
What a fantastic history lesson! And a great way to dispel some myths! Thanks for putting all that together in one video!
Thank you for sharing :) Very interesting.
Thank you so much. Very Informative
it was great to learn somthing from the internet i really enjoyed this thank you
Best doc on Japanes swords I've ever seen.
Thoroughly enjoyed many thanks
I was a student of a koryu iaijutsu school during university but what I'm about to describe is common among iaido/jutsu schools today, 'sayabiki', or the aiming of the strike that comes out of the scabbard with the left hand while unsheathing. A simultaneous unsheathing and strike is unique to the katana, whereas many swords have to do this in two steps.
Iaido that you describe was/is an attempt to standardize a few ancestor schools into a unified curriculum that the Japan Kendo Federation recognized but the ancestor schools still exist in their unchanged form.
You should totally do a video about koryu bujutsu (classical fighting schools) many schools continued in the edo period through to today. Katori Shinto ryu is quite unique in its charism, truly martial, as it is the oldest surviving one. They are overseen by their 20th generation headmaster, and have many international practitioners.
I love your content!
Very informative! Thank you Sir!
Excellent video! Thanks!
A common misconception is that the lesson of the Mongol invasion in the 13th century gave rise to Katana. In the Mongol invasion, the innovative forging method of the Soshu school appeared. Katana has appeared since the 15th century. This mistake is in Katana, Masamune. Many of them were cut at their roots and converted into katana after the 15th century. In other words, the swords Masamune forged is not Katana but Tachi.
Amazing channel coming from a person that's been studying Japanese martial arts from the age of 5, and what I like most about this channel is that it's hands down the most accurate channel for this topic on youtube.....Metatron should come and listen to these before going to his channel to make people that know something about nihonto or Japan cringe to their maximum and roll their eyes out of their skull. Shogun-sama, keep at it, we love it !
Don't bring a tachi, in a fight of glockchi
Lmao
Lmfao
Goddammit 😆
Lmfao
Lmao
Peace and Mabuhay from the Philippines!
As a Martial Artist and History enthusiast, I'm really loving your content so far. You definitely earned a subscription from me. 🙏
You're definitely right about the Samurai being intrinsically linked to the Katana in a way many other Warrior cultures do not with their weapons of choice. You really can't say the same for our warriors here in the Philippines using the bolo or something similar in a way that it's linked to their "spirit as Warriors", sadly.
However, they are definitely (not the only ones) to share that distinction.
I.E.) The Szabla (Sabre) is very much intrinsically linked to the mighty Winged Hussars of Poland and Polish culture/history overall..
tuwang tuwa ka sa mga ponjaps na yan, e, kadaming Pinoy pinugutan nila nun sinakop nila yan Pinas.
@@fujiwaramichaelm6686
Brother, Arnisador and proud Filipino ako.
I'm aware of what they did to us in the past and am not absolving them of it.
Hindi Naman sa "tuwang tuwa" ako sa mga Hapon. Pero I can RESPECT them as a Martial Artist and History enthusiast. I also practiced Shotokan Karate here at the Baguio chapter of Sphinx Karatedo since my childhood. Hence, I have a certain degree of respect for Japan that I (do not) have towards our people.
Why...? Because we champion our pop idols and "kilig love teams" more than our National Sport of Kali-Arnis! There's even a channel here on CZcams called "Fuji Arnis Club" which has Japanese people who practice/study Kali-Arnis more than we do! czcams.com/users/fujiarnisclub
NAKAKA-HIYA.
Ikaw nga eh, "Michael Fujiwara" pangalan mo. If you're so against the Japanese, what in the name of Ronnie Ricketts are you doing here then?! 🤣
I hope you're kidding, brother. Because I sure am not amused by your sentiments if you're being serious. 🙏🥋👊
@@KamenRider1 Gomen kudasai. I should never have replied to a person posing as a fictitious character. Sorry.
@@fujiwaramichaelm6686
Pusang alaws... bastos Ka Pala, eh!
So what if I'm "posing" as a fictional character...? It's called maintaining anonymity online and having fun while doing it.
You're one to talk. You started the ad hominem attacks and I can't believe I'm being condescended by a guy who's literally using a Japanese name and speaking half-baked "Japanese" despite his being Filipino. Hypocrisy!
I applaud your sentiment though, Kababayan. Please don't ever talk to me again and if you're ever in Baguio (and you're probably from around here considering the videos you saved on your channel) best hope we don't cross paths at baka gawin pa kitang pinikpikan. Hatawin kita ng rattan, bagtit! 😑
Learn to show respect for people first.
I would love to see a video about all the other weapons that the Samurai used, that weren't the 'samurai sword'.
Good job on the history of the Japanese swords
Great documentary !
Excellent video!! Only a minor correction. At 10:49, the sword peg is called mekugi, while menuki are two decorative fittings wrapped in the tsuka, one being (normally) near the fuchi and the other near the kashira.
Thanks for pointing that out! the diagram I was looking at in Clive Sinclaire's book doesn't mention that!
@@TheShogunate You're welcome 😊
Excellent video, very educational...
Fantastic conclusion!
Awesome video!
Very good video.
Maybe u would be able to make a video about the different colors of ito and sageo wraps I would like to know more a out that
Great show man this content has been much appreciated
Sword pegs are called mekugi usually made of bamboo. Menuki are the metallic ornaments placed under the tsukamaki that helps with grip. Terrific video. Thanks for making it.
Katana are a thing of beauty.
Thats why I collect them. I fascinated in there craftsmanship. The wrap, the rayskin, and that shinny blade with a nice hamon line. Love em.
It's a great video!! Based on accurate information.
Light sabers and Jedi had to be strongly inspired by this.
Well George Lucas was a fan of samurai movies at the time of writing star wars. This also lead to the unique design of Darth Vader :)
VaaP hilariously enough in and out of the Star Wars mythos the person inside the darth vader suit was a fencing master however soon he was also a kendoka which is why darth vader in the comics is a master of forms 2 and 5 with 2 being fencing and 5 being kendo
@@michaelterrell5061 Cool to know!
VaaP Thanks
@@squabblewobble2472 My dumbass thought his helmet was based on a sallet until I saw some later japanese armours.
Thanks I’ve learned a lot 🙏🏾
I read that the Yumi and Ya accounted the 70% of the kills , 20% from the Yari and remaining 10% attributed to the other weapons like katana. Would you do a video about this specifically? Btw I'm new to your channel, great work there ! Would be great if you could do a video about the evolution of the yumi too!
Thanks. This is great content.
Japan did not have access to better steel unlike other countries, hence their swordsmiths had to come up with another way to make swords. It's truly ingenious how they use tamahagane to create a steel that is similar to modern high carbon steel, then use differential hardening to bring out a sharp edge to cut, but a soft spine to absorb shock. It was more likely to bend than break which made it easier for a swordsmith to repair. The arduous craftsmanship and intricate beauty of the katana makes it a real work of art.
@P Ciprian There is always that one guy. I guess you are that guy. 😂
Thanks for the Info.. GREAT!
Very interesting, it's cool that you included the origins of Kenjutsu and Kendo as well. I didn't initially know what era Kendo originated from, which I probably should've because I practition it 🤔
If anyone knows the name of the ukiyo-e pieces used in this video, can you please tell me?
Awesome video by the way! Very informative for my story writing and art!
23:50 actually I believe the iconic double-edges cross hilted sword was at least in some areas at sometimes restricted to knights. it is my understanding this is one of the major reasons that swords such as the falcion and messer exist
Messers and falchions were also used by knights
That marching song SLAPS 👋
Great video!
Amazing video
I see you're Katana and raise you a Gladius. great video by the super happy I found you're channel.
Thank you for the bit of history ..
rurouni kenshin is singlehandedly responsible for almost every edgelord katana myth that still exists today. I still hear people claiming that iaito strikes are simply faster due to being drawn from the sheath
there is a lot of old american movies and HQ with "ninjas swords" cutting bullets, metal and stuff, and older japanese media as well, rurouni kenshin was not the origin of the myth of the "katana that cut everithing and never breake"
I'd just like to note that while wearing the Daisho was limited to buke after Toyotmi's sword hunt, other social classes were allowed to wear the wakizashi as a sign of their status symbol 9I can't remember all the detail but I do remember that physicians were one those).
And of course, the Tachi are still part of the ceremonial courtly dress.
That was awesome !!! Thank u !!! Do u train in Budo ? You have such a passion for the Samurai,like I do.
Folding techniques and the combinations of steels with different hardness were exported to japan from mainland as well
I also like the naginata polearm and yumi bow
I forget what they are actually called, but the prints you use for illustration are absolutely beautiful. Very informative and I have subscribed.
Ukiyo-e
I recommend that everyone read - The Truth of the Ancient Ways: A Critical Biography of the Swordsman Yamaoka Tesshu
It's agreat book that covers Tesshu's life as well as the decline of swordsmanship during the Edo period. Also, great video. Good information!
I've read Tesshu. I agree, he was enlightened.
I’m learning Japanese history from your informative videos. Even more insightful and refined than ones Japanese make in CZcams. Keep making more. Arigatou!