History of the Japanese sword

The sword itself began in the era of human known Bronze age or the bronze age, where the manufacturing of metal blades long enough to be conducted. At first swords were made of iron. and when the blacksmith began to take into account the carbon content in it created the sword from the steel. Until the late 18th century sword play an important role in human history, but when he began to influence the development of gunpowder weapons are swords role began to decline and eventually considered not very important. finally the sword is often only addition and the symbol of the nation's leadership in the fame


At first Japanese sword can be said to imitate the sword that came from China (which has a characteristic sword and double-edged straight). these swords and improved over time. Someone named Amakuni (who lived in the 7th century) is said to be the creator of Japanese sword. say this is where the history of samurai swords in the beginning.

Ninja-to sword

Ninja-to sword is short, straight-edged sword single and Used by the Ninja, usually shorter, thinner, and not so easy semelengkung hidden katana.

Kunai

Kunai is a traditional Japanese throwing weapons, appeared on the emperor Tensho era. Kunai on umumnnya made of iron, not steel / other metal, made with cheap and not-polish. Kunai normally sized 20-60cm, and average 40 cm.

Jo

Jo (杖:じょう, jō) is a wooden stick has a length of about 1.28 meters. Martial science using Jo called Jodo, and also the Aiki-jo Jo Aikido which uses as a weapon. Jo is also used by some police in Japan as a weapon.

Japanese Sword - exercise and how to care for it II

When a sword is swung, it is the most important that the biggest power is applied to the kissaki. But, the power sometimes goes into the shoulder when a beginner triest o put the power in the kissaki. A sword isn't swung fast when the power goes into thes houlder. Remove the power of the shoulder and the arm, and swing a sword by thepoint which throws a fishing rod. Swing a sword by a feeling that a kissaki is thrownt owar d the target. Then, stretch both arms enough, and try to draw a big circle. At thistime, the orbit of the sword must always pass through the center of the body. Tighten a little finger and a third finger strongly when swinging down a sword.

After you finish swinging a sword, make the hilt head of the sword come in front ofthe navel. Space between the hilt head and the navel is about one fist. And turn akissaki a little below from the level. Then, bend an elbow a little, and remove the power of the shoulder. And tighten both armpits lightly.


Level (Right)

A fundamental principle is the same as "Basic swing". But, a sense is really wrong because it becomes horizontal from the vertical. Therefore, the orbit of the sword deviates easily very much
A point is almost the same as "Basic swing". Therefore, swing it by a feeling that a kissaki is thrown. An attention point is to stretch its right arm firmly. When a right arm bends, a hard
target can be hard to cut with a sword. It is because an elbow becomes a cushion and the power is absorbed.

Level (Left)

A sense is a little different from "Level (right)". "Level (left)" becomes the shape which swings a bat easily. Be careful, because "Hasuji" deviates when swing becomes the
hape which swings a bat.




A point is almost the same as "Basic swing". Therefore, swing it by a feeling that a
kissaki is thrown.
An attention point is to stretch left arm firmly. Be careful that an elbow must not bend
because an elbow bends easily when "Level (left)" is done.

Kesa Right

"Kesa" is the clothes of the Japanese priest. It is the rectangular cloth to put on the
right shoulder from the left armpit.
Therefore, it is said as "Kesagiri" that it is cut with the sword from an enemy's
shoulder to the armpit.
A sense looks like "Basicswing", "Kesagiri" is thought that it can be done soon.
The power may not go into "kissaki" when it changes from "2" to "3". This is because
an arm isn't stretched enough.
Then, the orbit of the sword draws a little circle. Therefore, the character of the sword
isn't being made use of.
Therefore, stretch an arm enough, and swing it.

Kesa (left)

Because a sense is almost the same as "Basic swing", "Kesa (left)" is thought that it
can be done soon.

Sai (钗)

Sai (钗) is the traditional weapons from Okinawa, is also used in India, China, Indonesia and Malaysia. Sai is a weapon shaped like Trident. Sai initially agricultural tools.

Japanese Sword - exercise and how to care for it

How to swing a sword

• There are many differences in the way of swinging a sword by school and so on.
• How to swing the sword which we know is introduced here.
• But, details can't be transmitted by the sentence.
• Therefore, I want to increase detailed explanations and so on later.
• Approximate shape was written in the picture.
• Therefore, approve it when you can't understand it in the angle of the picture.
• Having the teacher of iaido teach directly of the method that a sword is used is the best.
  

About the Beginner

• The orbit of the proper sword is said as "Hasuji".
• A beginner must make the practice which makes "Hasuji" right first more than swinging it fast.
• If "Hasuji" is right, sound rings with the sword which "Hi" carves.
• "Hi" is the thing of the groove carved in the sword body.

1, it lighten the weight of the sword.
2, it make a sword not break easily.
3, it ease a shock.
It is good to practice it by using iaito and so on which a gutter carves at first.

Attention

When "mekugi" becomes loose, a sword body comes out of the hilt. Never turn the edge of the sword to the person. It is very dangerous to turn the edge of the sword to the person. Be careful not to hurt yourself and a unrelated person when dealing with a sword.


How to hold a sword


Avoid the fuchigane of the hilt first, and hold a sword lightly with your right hand. And leave a left hand from the right hand about 4cm(It varies according to the length of the hilt.), and hold a hilt. Tighten a little finger and a third finger strongly, and then tighten the middle finger lightly. And try to float a thumb and a forefinger a little, and hold a hilt. It's the same in both hands. At this time, there must not be looseness in the hand. But, don't hold a hilt with all your strength. A sword is fixed when a hilt is held with all your strength. Then, you can't swing a sword so that you may think.
The distribution of the power of the right hand and the left hand is about 4(the right) : 6(the left). Bend an elbow a little, and remove the power of the shoulder a little. And tighten both armpits lightly. Then, space between the hilt head and the navel is about one fist.

How to cut a koiguchi“

The part of the entrance of the sheath is said as Koikuchi. Because it has a shape like the mouth of the carp. A sword is pulled out a little when a sword guard is pushed in the thumb of the left hand. This is said as "Cut a Koikuchi."

Grip a koikuchi first with your left hand, and put the thumb of the left hand on the inside on the sword guard. And, push out a sword guard between the point of the thumb of the left hand and the first joint. At this time, you must not put a thumb right over the edge of the sword. This is the most careful point. When a thumb is put right on the edge, a finger is cut on the edge of the sword.Try to push up a hilt with your right hand from the bottom, and pull out a sword. Then, a sword comes out easily along the curve of the sheath.

Nagamaki

Nagamaki is stick with a large blade and heavy, very famous in the 12th and 14th centuries. This is very similar to the glaive . Nagamaki known and mainly used in the Kamakura period (1192-1333), Nanbokucho (1334-1392) and in the early Muromachi period (1392-1573). Sword Nagamaki 2-4 feet long and the stems / 2-3 foot long stick. Single-edged knife.

The length is approximately the same blades as the katana, but the receiver is almost the same length with a blade length.

Kama (镰orかま)

Kama (镰orかま) is the traditional weapons from Okinawa, Kama was originally used for agriculture.
Kama weapon used pair, this weapon is one of the main weapons Ninja 1, but in the end put a mace / chain, called the Kusari-gama.

Shuriken

Shuriken (手里剣; "hand hidden blade") is a traditional Japanese weapon that is generally used to be thrown into the opponent, and sometimes used to stab and cut the artery opponent. Shuriken made from needles, knives, and other metal materials. Shuriken is the weapon most often used after a katana and naginata. Martial science that uses shuriken-jutsu is called Shuriken, Shuriken-jutsu taught at the university once the ninja. Shuriken known as "Ninja Star"

Naginata (なぎなた,薙刀)

Naginata (なぎなた,薙刀) is a spear class weapon traditionally used in Japan by members of the Samurai. A naginata consists of a wooden stick handle and curved at the ends with machetes, guns are the same as that held by Guan Yu in the history of China. Science uses martial naginata called naginata-jutsu.

Wakizashi (Japanese:胁差)

Wakizashi (Japanese:胁差) is a traditional Japanese sword with a blade length of the eye between 30 and 60 centimeters (between 12 to 24 inches), a similar but shorter than the katana which is often worn together. When worn together, the couple was recognized as the sword Daisho, which when translated literally as "big and small"; "dai" or greater for the katana, and "sho" for wakizashi.
Wakizashi used as a weapon if no samurai katana. When entering the sacred building or palace building, a samurai would leave katananya at the guards at the entrance. However, wakizashi always remains brought at any time, and with it, he became a weapon for the samurai, such as the use of guns for Army

The Sakabato

The Sakabato (逆刃刀sakabato; lit. Reverse-edged sword) is unique type of Japanese sword. While normal Japanaese swords (Katanas) have the shorter side of the blade sharpened, the sakabato is sharpened on the opposite side. This is why it is known as a reverse-bladed sword.

Translation: Sword sakabato (edged backwards) is a Japanese sword that is very unique. Meanwhile, the normal Japanese swords (Katanas) has a shorter side and sharp, contrast sakabato has reversed blade. that's why this sword known as a reverse-edged sword.

Kusari-Gama

Kusari-Gama is Kama, but has a chain attached with a sharp weapon (mace, a small sword, etc.)

Katana

Katana (刀) is a Japanese long sword (Daito,大刀), although in Japanese it self refers to all types of swords. Katana is kunyomi (Japanese title) of the form of kanji刀; while onyomi (called pinyin) is the kanji characters to. He was referring to the sword one eye, a special curved traditionally used by Japanese samurai.
Katana is usually paired with the wakizashi or shoto, but it looks like is made shorter, both used aleh warrior class members.

Odachi or Nodachi (Great Sword)

Odachi or Nodachi (Great Sword) = length of more than 90 cm. These swords are rarely used in direct combat as too heavy, but very effective in other horses dropping or breaking large objects other

Daito (long sword)

Daito (long sword) = length of more than 60 cm but less than 90 cm. Used as the main blade in the battle between the samurai.

Shoto (short sword)

Shoto (short sword) = length of more than 30 cm but less than 60 cm. Wakizashi, Kodachi and included in the type Chisakatana shoto sword used as a companion.

Aikuchi

Tanto or Aikuchi (knife) = length of less than 30 cm. Usually used for close combat, thrown at the enemy and also as a means to "cleanse themselves" from all the mistakes ~ aka hara-kiri (suicide)