I appreciate that most Dark souls specify an Uchigatana, seems like one of the only pieces of media that seems to make that distinction

@nebunezz_r

Жыл бұрын

Because in its heart it's a Japanese media. It may have western name and western element but at the end of the day FromSoftware is a Japanese entertainment software development studio

@yeahey5947

Жыл бұрын

It may have something to do with the devs being Japanese and feeling as though it would be similar to just calling every European style sword a long sword just because it’s the most well known term, also I believe in the first ds there are 3 non unique katana type swords and they probably wanted them each to have their own unique and specific sounding name for the job they do

@raminkuntopolku8636

Жыл бұрын

​@@yeahey5947 Washing pole was a really confusing name for me

@Xerxes1688

Жыл бұрын

And Nioh 1&2 take it to the next level, you have both the tachi and uchigatana in either single and dual swords sets, and even the large odachi, you have some with more curve than others, and they scale differently. On dual sword sets, the one that is wielded on the off-hand is shorter than the one wielded on the strong hand, and even so, the longer of the two is generally shorter than a single tachi or uchigatana set. It makes sence if you are going to dual wield, a shorter uchigatana or tachi is more easy to wield with one hand. Tachis, whether singel or dual, not only are more visibly curved, but also oftentimes have a loop on the buttcap and a tassel hanging from it, which is correct, and I believe that the tassel was used as a lanyard when wielding the tachi single handed while on horseback, so it doesn't fall from your hands. Same reason why a lot of old pistols and revolvers have a lanyard loop. On the, sort off, bad side, they tachis in-game are worn with the edge facing up. It would have been very nice to have them edge facing down.

@absolutleynotanalien8096

Жыл бұрын

Exept probably some obscure japanese games.

The tachi was used primarily when the Samurai were mounted archers. It was worn in a way that was more accommodating to riding on horseback. The uchigatana was a foot soldiers weapon at its inception. The Edo period is where the uchigatana became the ubiquitous sword due to mounted warfare being pretty much a thing of the past, and a law dictating what swords a Samurai was required to carry as a mark of their class.

@leonardomarquesbellini

Жыл бұрын

Legend has it the first Uchigatanas were forged as a response to the changing warfare conditions of the Mongol invasions, which saw a lot of siege and, more importantly, naval boardings, in which the longer Tachi was often too unwieldy to be useful in the confined spaces inside castles and below the decks of a ship. Some accounts even refer to some Samurai sawing the tips off their Tachis and filing the blade into a new, and shorter, point as ad hoc solutions to that problem before Uchigatanas were created. While I can't say whether that's true or not it reinforces the change towards the Katana we know today may have been driven by a drastic change in how warfare war conducted in ancient Japan.

@hugom2418

Жыл бұрын

That’s about right! It’s important to note though that during the warring states period samurai shifted from heavy mounted archers to heavy cavalry, trading their bows for spears (Yari). These mounted samurai still used tachi along with high ranking officers and generals, even if they were on foot. The tachi was only completely phased out from around 1590-1600 for the uchigatana.

@hugom2418

Жыл бұрын

@@leonardomarquesbellini it is indeed mostly legend. The change happen gradually through about a hundred years, the mongol invasion were a very localized event and did not effect warfare in Japan as much as some may think. The tachi worked well at the time but it did go through some changes as you said warfare became more grounded, more sieges, naval battles, etc. the early tachi was a lot different from the tachi you see robin with, so changes in the sword did happen just not immediately to the uchigatana.

@robinswords

Жыл бұрын

From my reading on the topic, that shift also points to the endurance of katana supplanting uchigatana in vocabulary. When the need to distinguish smaller sword from longer sword vanishes, it all becomes sword.

@robertaylor9218

Жыл бұрын

@@hugom2418 it’s very funny, because pretty quickly swords started getting a lot longer, I think that’s about when terms like ono-dachi (if I’m getting it right) started applying because some of the swords were getting so long.

Yes, you got that right. But more info: - Tachi were longer - Tachi were used primarily by cavalry - Uchigatana were used primarily by infantry - Bladesmith markings on the tang always face outward when worn and outward depends on wearing blade edge up vs edge down

@jonajo9757

Жыл бұрын

Then there's historical Katana, which did reach Tachi lengths. Then that all changed during the Edo period where the overall length of a sword was forbidden to exceed 84cm. *The overall length...*

@jonajo9757

Жыл бұрын

@@uninterruptedrhythm4104 And in doing so, made everyone believe that Edo period swords are representative of swords before that.

@Dan.the.Guitarman

Жыл бұрын

Explains why the edge is pointed down when drawing... For immediate use

@ellmisatou9382

Жыл бұрын

The first Katanas didn't have the blacksmith name, that's because they were originally Tachi swords that had a portion of the tang cut off.

@hitatsu_me_ninja2162

Жыл бұрын

​@@jonajo9757 drying pole

I really like your style of content for the shorts. Not flashy or hyper stylized, but also not super watered down. You present yourself professionally and it comes across regardless of the topic you cover. Always enjoy learning about gear, tactics, or history when I see you in my feed!

@machina5

7 ай бұрын

And they don't loop, which is a huge plus

@KS-xx5xq

Ай бұрын

Same here. No long beginnings, no pauses. He just shows something interesting about blades and we go to another vid. Timesaving, stressless, cool.

The only thing not brought up is that their are even more misconceptions because their are tachi made to look like uchi-gatana, and vice versa depending on the style and period that samurai lived in. A Handachi is a Tachi that is less curved and worn downward, same size as the uchi-gatana but used the same way as a tachi or, vice versa. Something I've noticed among weapons with the samurai is that people should never forget their way when it comes to the weapons they use in battle, Musashi always made the emphasis of "always carry the weapons you need, nothing less nothing more" or something along those lines. I imagine this was a way for the warring period samurai to adapt to the more peaceful times while still keeping their traditional style of fighting.

@discoalice

Жыл бұрын

Gigachad

@nullAttack7327

Жыл бұрын

Some warriors still insert Uchigatana like tachi but not hanging now. They use Koshiate to make blade downward if it's Uchigatana.('cuz of without two hanging sticks, gravity and sword's balance make it rotate). So yeah, there's no clear gap between thoz actually...

@tearsintherain6311

Жыл бұрын

Weab now do a push-up warrior

@nullAttack7327

Жыл бұрын

@@tearsintherain6311 ? Clearly, "warrior" doesn't make confuse and perplex... to "samurai". But "sword"?... No way ppl wud know it as "Uchigatana". So...

@earthtoastro8349

Жыл бұрын

@@tearsintherain6311 sure, what kind my friend? It's my workout day anyways love a good challenge.

You're pretty much spot on with this. Interested to know where you got the katana from though. Is it the same seller as with the tachi?

@robinswords

Жыл бұрын

It's made by Balaur Arms www.kultofathena.com/product/balaur-arms-shinto-oni-katana/?koa=20194

@xan6990

Жыл бұрын

Jesus Christ loves us all. May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance. 2 Thessalonians 3:5

@user-fi9cu4ms7z

Ай бұрын

@@xan6990then why do we suffer

@xan6990

Ай бұрын

@@user-fi9cu4ms7z The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all. Psalm 34:19 If someone decide to return to Christ that man will be righteous like him. And righteousness brings suffering because we reject the offer of this world which is to sin. And because the Bible teach us to be righteous and be like Jesus, Christ suffered too righteous man share the same suffering as Jesus had.

@xan6990

Ай бұрын

@@user-fi9cu4ms7z The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all. Psalm 34:19 If someone decide to return to Christ that man will be righteous like him. And because the Bible teach us to be righteous like Jesus, Christ suffered too a righteous man share the same suffering Jesus had. A righteous man suffer because he reject the offer of our world which is to sin.

My favorite hidden difference is also where the swordsmith's signature is. If worn properly, it should be pointing outwards regardless of which one you're talking about.

I like to think that when he says he's been "repeatedly educated on the subject" he means Bruce has told him, _many times._ Thanks for sharing this knowledge with us Clark 😀

I absolutely love your suit! ❣️

Seems all the comments have served you well haha! Well done overall! Only thing I would add is that your tachi is a later period (16th century) version around the time the uchigatana was prevalent. Around this time the differences in the sword was mainly the mountings/fittings as the length was essentially the same and curvature varies with all swords but tachi tend to have their curve lower down (closer to the hilt) on the blade while uchigatana were more curved at the end. Early Tachi (11th-13th century) was quite different. Generally lighter and thinner as it is a single arm cavalry sword that had more of a taper and curved more near the hilt of the blade. Some had a pronounced curved but many were nearly straight at the blade. They likely descend from a weapon of the Emishi people called a Warabiteto. Sorry I’m sure you get a lot of comments trying to “correct” you but I’m just trying to help spread more information for the sake of knowledge! Good stuff (Edit: Misspellings)

@ckmv2858

Жыл бұрын

Sake of knowledge is my favorite type of 酒.

The uchikatana is a bit straighter due to its main usage in dueling between individuals of the samurai class. The dueling style of sword fighting which evolved into modern kendo emphasizes the technique of thrusting and the mutual confrontation of the 'middle form'. If the sword is mounted blade up, the 'middle form' is a natural posture when pulled out. The Tachi is more curved, and mounted blade down for the ease of deployment in horseback combat during warfare. And when pulled out the tachi goes into the 'upper form', which is a more aggressive form that emphasizes high impact slashing on armored enemies instead of guarding and thrusting of the 'middle form'.

I LOVE the color combo on that tachi, its beautiful.

I love how beautifully crafted these swords are and how well maintained they are

Whoa, not a lot of people know that katana actually means one sided blade. Kata (片) means "one side" (or "part of a set") and na (な) here means "edge" (or blade). Good stuff!

@maximilian2843

Жыл бұрын

so do you actually pronounce it "kata-na"? instead of ka-tana

@xianfa1708

Жыл бұрын

@@maximilian2843 the actual word is pronounced "to" as in nihonto or "japanese sword" i guess in their grammar you cant independently use that pronouciation. so the pronouciation katana was used

@xianfa1708

Жыл бұрын

as others already indicated, the word is used for any single edged swords, regardless of length. when refering to double edged ones, they use the term tsurugi or ken

@extraedit4383

Жыл бұрын

​@@xianfa1708 Katana (Native Japanese reading) and Tō (Chinese Sound Reading, like the sound of sword in chinese "Dao") are both correct, but if its single Kanji (刀) its usually pronounce as "Katana", unless its paired with other kanji like the Word Nihontō u just mentioned...but sometimes its change to gatana like in word Uchigatana

@yeasstt

Жыл бұрын

​​@@xianfa1708 there are two pronunciation for kanji. Onyomi (based on Chinese) and kunyomi (based on Japanese). Both are correct, so saying the "actually word is pronounced tō" is not true. Which one is generally used varies by word, but in the case of 「刀」 it is typically read as "katana" Edit: forget the ō

Another key distinguishing factor is the handles, Tachi handles have a more pronounced end cap with the ability to mount a sword knot. Katana end caps are less pronounce and can't mount an end cap. It's useful to categorise the swords by their handles, because you also have the Handachi, a tachi that's worn like a Uchigatana with the appropriate mountings. This is also why Japanese military swords are based on 13th Century Japanese sword than swords during the more recent Edo Period.

You look like a dapper Superman. 😊 The more I watch your content, the more I gain an appreciation for your sword knowledge and solid kata.

Bro you are literally Clark Kent. 😭😭😂

@drutarthesavage5156

Жыл бұрын

I was looking for this comment.

That orange-green color scheme was dope 👍

You can also easily tell which a sword is by where the signature is. The signature on the tang will always face outward so whichever way the signature faces away from you on the left is the correct way to wear the sword

I love your historical analysis of these weapons keep it up

Laughs in Matchlock Ashigaru.

Tachi: Longer, more taper, koshi-zori (curve near hilt), often smaller point, usually signed on the side that faces out when worn edge down. Uchigatana: Shorter, less taper, torii-zori/saki-zori (curve near of the middle/tip), tipically at least a medium-size point, usually signed on the side that faces out when worn edge up.

@samgomez9942

Жыл бұрын

Katana? You mean uchigatana? I'm legitimately asking, not being a smart-ass

@alexyosleonhart

Жыл бұрын

@@samgomez9942 Yes. I mean Uchigatana. Sorry.

My understanding of the subject has always been that the tachi predated the more modernized uchikatana and the uchikatana is the result of alterations designed to meet the changing needs of the battlefield and the eventual use of it as a "gentleman's sidearm", as it became a sign of station and combat with a sword became closer and more necessary for thrusting instead of sweeping strokes.

Tachi basically means "Long" so it's Japanese "Long-Sword" (Tachi-Katana)

@lildragon6415

Жыл бұрын

Tachi doesn't mean long. It's more like great single edged blade. Since it already includes "single edged blade", you don't need to say katana after it. Tachi in kanji is 太刀 太 = great, derived from 大 pronounced 'O' which means big 刀 = single edged blade or katana. Note there's more than one way to read a kanji. To contrast, 剣 is a double edged sword pronounced tsurugi or ken. That is the root word of kendo and kenjutsu. So Odachi, or O-Tachi, is 大太刀 which basically means big great sword.

@karl-axelknutson909

Жыл бұрын

It means ”broad”, or semantically rather ”large” than ”broad”. Having spent a decade training Kenjutsu in Japan I never heard of a tachi-katana, because check this out: 太刀 tachi (broadsword) and 刀 katana. Tachi-katana would have ended up being 太刀刀 (broadswordsword).

@karl-axelknutson909

Жыл бұрын

@@user-ch9vd4cd3t I think Tachi-katana ”太刀刀” is a slip of the tounge if you heard it from an expert, they likely meant ”太刀式の刀” tachi-shiki no katana” which could maybe have been a way to say ”a katana worn like a tachi”, or just a mistake of tachi OR katana, or meant to mean ”tachi/katana”. ”Ō-katana” or ”O-katana” is very commonly misinterpreted. Ō-katana 大刀 is, in a pre- samurai context, a variation of 太刀 (tachi), and is read ”tachi”. In a samurai era context it contrasts the wakizashi no kodachi, also called shōtō 小刀 (”small sword”), and is read ”daitō”, meaning ”big sword” (大刀) and signifying a tachi or katana. O-katana (御刀 or お刀) is just adding ”o” as a well deserved honorific to the word ”katana”. A No-dachi 野太刀 (”field sword”) is something entirely different. However it is not impossible that this, based on old historical written sources, just reflects a general usage of the words, where there were local or personal variations where the words meant something else. If you have a source, please share!

A very well read gentleman with extensive knowledge

There's also the distinction of the usage of these swords, which is closely related to the eras in which they were most widely used. Tachi were battlefield swords, and fittingly saw the height of their use in the Muromachi and Sengoku Jidai (warring states) periods, when battlefield warfare among samurai factions was common and widespread all across Japan. The uchigatana, meanwhile, was historically a sidearm and a required badge of status for samurai in civilian settings, and it accordingly rose to prominence in the following Edo period, which saw an end to constant warfare and a gradual shift in the societal role of samurai from a warrior class who served the local territories of their lords to essentially a glorified bureaucrat class who lived mostly in urban centers. This is the reason the uchigatana is smaller and why it's worn blade-side up: it made the sword easier to draw and use at a moment's notice, kept it from physically getting in the way of everyday activities when sheathed, and also displayed the sheathed swords more prominently on the wearer's body. TL;DR: Basically the Tachi is to a Longsword or Greatsword (i.e., primarily a battlefield weapon) as the katana is to a sidesword or spadroon (a smaller sidearm meant for civilian settings, duels, etc.)

@zhengwenyu1587

Жыл бұрын

If I remember correctly, the Tachi was the battlefield sidearm and is similar to the Longsword. As for katana version of a Greatsword, that would be the Odachi/Nodachi.

@hugom2418

Жыл бұрын

More or less correct! It’s good to note that the tachi was still a sidearm or if anything a secondary weapon of sorts. Early on bows were the primary along with naginata polearms for melee, then as warfare shifted yari polearms became the main weapon with the tachi always being present as a sidearm. The uchigatana eventually replaced the tachi just before the edo period for its convenience so it did see use on the battlefield, just within the tight formations of pike and shot or sieges

@robinswords

Жыл бұрын

And cause to why some tachi were cut down and repurposed to fulfill the demand for a more civic-oriented sword.

@jonajo9757

Жыл бұрын

​@@robinswords A lot of Japanese swords went through this process if I remember. Any sword no matter their size were shortened from the tang so that the overall sword length was no more than 84cm. Not blade, the whole sword.

@FShani

Жыл бұрын

​​@@hugom2418 this. This is what everyone always misses when they talk about Japanese swords in comparison with Western or European swords. With the exception of Nodachi (or more specifically the Odachi) katana were secondary last resort weapons, practically the equivalent of an archer's dagger. Being forced to go down to your sword in a battlefield situation was like being in a last stand as your weapon was outclassed by just about anything else you'll face. Yumi, naginata or other various polearms, later the yari and teppo, then at the bottom the entire class of katana. Yet people always want to compare them European longswords or at times zweihanders, claymores and other two handed weapons.

Oh so that's why Rean Schwarzer wore his sword with the blade down. He DID say it's a Tachi instead of a Katana/Uchigatana

Tachi used primarily by the cavalry. The fact that Tachi has to be hanged curve facing downward is to prevent the tip of the scabbard hitting the back side of the horse. If something hit the back side of the horse, it could panicking the horse or unintentionally triggering it to run faster.

I get immense Vergil vibes from this guy.

@thomasweeden2683

Жыл бұрын

He looks motivated enough

Yes, that was an excellent explanation.. my Iaito/Kendo Instructor would be very very pleased with that explanation. Thank you for putting it forward

The Tachi was designed to be on one's waist while mounted. It was typically longer and was one of the earlier iterations of the Katana. Later, mainly after the Sengoku period, it became more ritualized to have smaller katana in the obi. (belt)

Tachi was used by samurai in older periods of Japan, when the combat in battlefields were more frequent. The fact that the curve hangs upwards was due to the efficiency into drawing while mounting a horse.

Wow. Here I thought sekiro was being odd by some of the bosses having them wear the blade down. I knew they did it for a reason but it didn't make sense with the limited knowledge I had. Now i know. Thanks

@FShani

Жыл бұрын

Yeah actually for most of Japanese history katana were worn blade side down, but the popularized version of the katana came from the Edo-period where it was worn blade side up. Double-edged swords and straight swords (whether single or double-edged) were not uncommon either and there were eras where the swords were so large you needed an attendant to help you draw the sword, along with exchanging your various weapons (polearm, most likely a naginata or chinese warblade during that period, bow, and sword).

@xianfa1708

Жыл бұрын

usually the blades down mountings are integrated to the armor. the blade up way of wearing the sword is a work around to carry a sword without having those prerequisites

Thank you for the content! If I can add something I know, katana does not have to be worn upwards. That’s called Ronin zashi(sashi=wearing)/Otoshi zashi(otoshi=dropping), and it’s how lower class samurai or ronin would wear it and could be without wakizashi(the smaller katana), I heard. In Edo period it was the way to wear it in the city. (i don’t know about when they visit somebody higher because i also read somewhere that otoshi zashi was not considered formal.) maybe it depends on where and when. When they go into a castle, they probably had to leave their uchi gatana to the worker in the castle at the entrance, and they go in with their wakizashi, changing the position of it(more forward to make it easier to be seen if you dear to take the sword out). I googled a lot but there are a lot of theories and idk what’s right. But yeah. At least there are ways to wear katana.

The existence of the uchigatana raises the question of what would make a sotogatana

why in Ghost of tsushima, in japanese dub, they call it tachi. but the sub says katana?

@alp_mez8598

Ай бұрын

I guess the subtitle guys aren't as educated on the subject

Something important to remember when classifying swords (at least European ones, but I think it's similar for everywhere) is that they were made to serve a function first and foremost and not to fit a definition, many terms we use for swords nowadays were only invented a good while after the swords had stopped being used, if you asked the people at the time most likely they'd just call it a sword. My point is that the definitions aren't law.

Thank you I’ve been wondering about this for years

It’s always a good day when this gentleman uploads

Specifically you can also look at the fittings on the tsuba and Kashira. Tachi tend to have two seppa on either side of the tsuba (where uchigatana usually only have one seppa on either side) a larger kashira with a ring through it that fits to the tsuka itself (where uchigatana usually just have a cap fastened by the tsuka maki) and can have two habaki, usually with the outer one made of silver (ive seen this more on tachi but is not too uncommon in uchigatana). Less definitively tachi tend to have more floral patterns for their fittings, where as uchigatana tend to not have a specified theme. Tachi can also forgo samegawa (the ray skin under the wrappings) often times lacquering the wood beneath with pretty colors, OR they can forgo tsuka maki (the wrappings over the ray skin) leaving only the ray skin and fittings visible, neither of these are often done with Uchigatana or Wakizashi but are seen in both Tanto and Tachi.

@SnakebitSTI

10 ай бұрын

To my knowledge, for every rule to distinguish between tachi and uchigatana, there is a historical example that violates that rule. It's more of a sliding scale from tachi to uchigatana than a hard cutoff. What do you call a sword with a tachi blade and uchigatana mountings? Or vice versa?

@jacobpowers352

10 ай бұрын

@@SnakebitSTI I do not know of a name for a tachi bladle fitted with Uchigatana fittings but I know it has been done, however, an Uchigatana fitted with Tachi fittings were called Handachi.

Another one is the Nodachi, which is essentially a larger version of a Tachi

Thank you for actually putting the kanji, and not just the romaji like most people would.

Also, a great way to tell historical examples apart just from the blade itself would be the smith's signature on the tang that was generally facing outward from the way it was meant to be worn. While it wasn't always the case as the Japanese were known to shorten blades and covert Tachi into Uchigatana or even use them on pole arms as a way to recycle the blade you can tell what a blade originally was based off this method.

This is one of the most fact-right short videos about the said swords. Tachi predates Katana ( in this case Uchigatana ). In some sources tachi is said to be traced to the 7th century, but archeological traces date to the 9th, but most commonly to the 11th century, while the Uchigatana, or katana dates only to the 16th century, so I have a saying that " the Katana is the youngest Japanese sword ". However, both swords belong to the family of " Japanese swords " or the " Nihonto " in which the word " To " means a curved, single edged sword. Before the " Nihonto " family came along, Japanese used a double edged straight sword called " Tsurugi-ken ". So in this manner, we can difference the words " To " and " Ken " in which the word " To " means a singled edged curved sword, and the word " Ken " means a doubled edged straight sword. Another point is that Samurai-san in 11th century used to be horsemen with bows and arrows, and a Tachi as a backup weapon, so Tachi commonly has a more curved blade, because it is easier to use and cut in swings from horseback. It could be said that Tachi is equivalent to a European saber. Kacem sensei is very good at explaining and showing the technique. Look him up. kzread.info/dash/bejne/ZaxkrMR9iLuqmLg.html

This is like trying to understand the difference between a sabre and a scimitar

I appreciate the color syncing between your shirt and the wall lol

It good to learn small details on different ways

Props to showing corresponding kanji

meanwhile in Indonesia, a lot of people still call all those Japanese sword as "samurai" 😅🤣 it even officially added in KBBI (official Indonesian Language Dictionary). although the term "katana" are starting to be widely recognizable too.

Bill Nye’s son teaches me about swords

You're correct. There's also something of a maker's mark on the tang or blade. The sword is meant to be worn so this mark faces out. It is worth noting that this isn't a hard and fast rule as many tachi were reforged shorter to be converted into uchigatana towards the early years of the uchigatana's inception.

You did get it right! Japanese blades despite being super popular are also super misunderstood. Good on you for passing on solid info!

I learned something new today. Thank you.

From what I can recall reading, Uchigatana were practically Tachi that later had to be cut shorter into Katana lengths due to the change in laws that prohibited carrying swords longer than the regular length we see on katana. You are supposed to tell the difference by looking at the tang, because the signature of the smith is on different spots between a katana and a tachi (which would be indistinguishable from a katana once it has been turned into an uchigatana). The word uchi might mean "strike", as in "striking sword", but it seems to me like the more plausible literary meaning is "struck/hammered/smithed sword" as the Uchigatana is a Tachi that had to be smithed again to be shortened into size. This tells the buyer/user of the general quality of the sword, in that it was an existing piece essentially "cut and reforged", instead of a product that was made as-is. I recall a famous daimyou owning a famous sword that came from another famous daimyou and it was one of these "shortened" swords in classification. I just can't recall the names since it was way back then when I read about it.

@xianfa1708

Жыл бұрын

it's called a striking sword because when they modified the tachi to be worn without the mountings, they are also able to integrate sword drawing into a strike.

Tachi were used at a period where warmen used horse a lot, so this is why the curve, the handle and the bigger size often. The other at a peace period where warmen were mainly maintaining order and status. Like in people, in war there is a selective evolution

Thanks for the lesson of the day

Tachi is the earlier cavalry sword and katana is the more refined version, but it’s more like the sidearm than the primary weapon and is mostly for looks/status.

So by this the blades can be so similar that the sheath is the main dusting feature.

Dark souls moment...I had to say it

You should explain the full Samurai set, tanto, wakazashi, katana, daitō, tachi, odachi - katana is really such a broad term for 'sword'

Thank you! I remember some rando at a renfair tried to "discreetly" tell me I was wearing my sword wrong.

"This isn't always the case." Very true! Sometimes it's called a scabbard or a sheath!

Also worth noting the difference of use and when. The tachi is longer and was more used in the 700-1100 roughly when samurai was more on horseback. After that however samurai’s became more on foot and then the uchigatana was more commonly used.

Beautiful blue color on the uchigatana

It is good to recognize though that to pre-Edo Japanese (even samurai)…and also during and after the Edo period, a sword was just a sword fit for your needs, and named as you pleased according to your purpose. A wakizashi no kodachi 脇差の小太刀 (shortsword) to one may have been a tachi 太刀 / katana 刀 (longsword) to another depending on their respective body size. Sword naming was VERY individual-arbitrary up until modern times when someone felt that a naming standard had to get established…rather arbitrarily.

I can't get over the fact that he looks like Ralph Caspers, a german actor who explained science to children on german TV when I was a kid. And now his Doppelgaenger explains sword stuff to me on youtube

From memory you might also be able to tell the difference by looking at the Tsuka, the handle, if the blade is furnished: On Tachi the handle tends to continue following the same curve of the blade, whilst on Uchigatana it tends more straight. Probably not a hard and fast rule but certainly looks true for the two examples in the video.

Nice description of Japanese ethymology using kanji

Uchigatana only a matter of time before Gucci makes its own line of Katanas called Guchigatana

There is another handy distinction - tantō measures less than 1 shaku (1/3 meter, 12 inches), wakizashi between 1 and 2, katana between 2 and 3, and more than 3 shaku is dai-katana/tachi.

Tachi where older style swords. The form eventually went out of fashion and many where reshaped into the modern katana forms. Several items in the British Museum started life as tachis, but with the passage of time, they got modified.

so beautiful swords ❤

I know there are subtle differences in size and weight, also usage. But the overall process in the creation of these masterpieces is pure genius and the pinnacle of sword manufacture in himan history. No other weapon ever made can match the beauty, strength and durability of the Japanese Katana. If there was ever a Zombie apocalypse and there is no more ammo I would want a good bow not an Umi and a Katana.

You're really right. The Tachi was used in battle on horse. It was warn edge down to be easaly draw with one hand to slice while riding. Thats the reason for edge down and more curvature.

So as long as its a curved single edged blade its basically determined on how the maker decided to mark the tang and how you choose to wear it rather than any hard defined physical characteristic if I understand correctly Unless specifically longer and more curved which seems to be somewhat subjective

From what I was told, katanas and how they sit on their masters side has to do with times of war. Having the blade up means at peace, while blade down signifies a time of war

If one has the means to do so, might I humbly suggest purchasing a katana from a Japanese swordsmith. A lot of people don't realize that they're going extinct. There are only 300 of them left, some of whom have shut down or stopped taking apprentices due to the pandemic. With them, the knowledge of how to make katana is going extinct as well. Any support would probably help, I imagine.

Also depends on the nakago and which side the signature is on. Curvature on tachi was a bit more pronounced due to use from horse back.

Seems like other pretty much gave all the tips. two things i may add that could be useful: the taper with the tachi is stronger, the point could be quite small and it could have more meat/niku compared to edo period katanas etc. purpose of the niku was to protect the edge bit more. iirc from what research i have done the its true the tachi was mostly worn edge down however so was the katana in war times. Iirc edge up was reserved for peace times , edge down for feuds and war. To wear a tachi/katana edge down in peace time could mean someone planned on doing blood shed in a warlike manner. Not an expert on kanji and japanese esoterism but the kanji or sign for wearing the sword edge upward is similar to peace or luck , wearing it edge down was similar to kanji of war or death iirc. Something along those lines.

@yeahey5947

Жыл бұрын

Woah that’s a neat fact I always forget until I hear it again lol, I haven’t drawn a katana blade down I wonder if it changes the mechanics of the draw or dulls the blade just a bit as it’s coming out? Or maybe it would just be turned blade up as it’s drawn I’m not sure, might be an interesting subject to talk about if your reading @robinswords nice video btw!

@hugom2418

Жыл бұрын

More or less, there was no strict way on which to wear your sword. Most wore it how they wanted it and it really wouldn’t affect or mean anything aside from how easy it is to pull out the sword. On horseback and because of its size, edge down is easier for tachi. Uchigatana were historically tied or just pushed into the sash/belt since we see this a lot in historical art, writings, evidence in armor, etc. the difference being that when you’re outside of armor you’re not going to be wearing the ropes and other attachments to hang the sword edge side down so just putting it in the belt/sash is far more convenient. Nonetheless you still see tachi being wore edge down outside of armor in earlier times but that’s aside the point since it was a different time

@superrobotmonkeyhyperteamf3194

Жыл бұрын

@@yeahey5947 as far as i can gather drawing the sword with the edge down is the practical way for drawing the sword especially if armoured i assume. The edge getting blunted is no concern since in wartimes you would maintain your weapon all the time. However when in peacetime you walk around a lot yes it would kind of getting dulled over time and always maintaining it would be a hassle. Imo from demonstrations i feel its also the quicker way wich allows you to cut in the same motion with a rising blow protecting your body while doing so. SImilar to what Monte advices with arming/longswords.

@superrobotmonkeyhyperteamf3194

Жыл бұрын

@@hugom2418 Later textes state that it was important in what kind of fashion you wore your sword since it could mean serious affront. But during war times it was either jindachi zukuri mountings when riding or simply being richer and agree we see tachis, uchigatana, katans etc being simply put in the sashi, egde down. There were occasions where you did wear jindachi zukuri mountings outside war/being in armor and that is court. They did that even as late as 19th century iirc. Fancy swords often with gold inlays etc.Not really intended for war etc which why they were named hosodachi, the sword for the court. Im not sure if everyone was allowed to wear their sword how they wanted at least the textes i saw and what some people told me there were rules regarding this where you could be punished for not doing this or that. Or when being high ranked being shamed for doing it. However no clue how tightly they followed those rules regarding edge up egde down etc. But personally i wouldnt want to carry a tachi/katan edge up in war.

They both KEELS

DAMN that Samurai looks so sick

My understanding from school gladatorius is in the usage. A odachi is a cavalry weapon back when samurai were primarily mounted troops. But like many historians will say. A lot of these are just us trying to categorize everything.

Tachi was the OG blades of legends

oh cool!! so that's why you see people with two swords in those positions. I thought they were just different ways of holding them, didn't realize they were completely different styles of katana

Shadowversity did a good video about this recently. There is also the udi-techi, or the udachi. His points were 1- people are different sizes, so their swords can be too. 2- it really depends on how they are used, not their characteristics. Katana are warn by samurai exclusively and is of a more everyday symbol of status. Tachi are warn in battles. The tachi's most distinct difference is not only the blades curve and length, but the hilt was often "off center" as in that it angles away from the rest of the sword. Think count duko's dealing Saber. I would assume this was to make for stronger slashes. Probobly more common for mounted combat

Sounds right. I think the tachi was designed to be used from horseback oposed to the shorter katana.

There is one way, though sometimes unreliable, to tell a tachi from an uchigatana. The menuki on the tsuka will usually be placed on both the tachi and the uchigatana so that the menuki closest to the tsuba will be facing out when the sword is worn. Since they're worn on the same side of the body but in different orientations, the menuki on uchigatana usually sit under the fingers when holding a sword and the menuki on tachi usually sit under the palms.

"Let's ask Shogo" is a good resource, he is a Japanese sword practitioner. You should try to reach out to him and see if he would an interview with you.

I never knew Harry Potter was Katana Enthusiast.

The reason for the Tachi and Uchigatana being so different has their reasons. Tachi: Was a bit heavier, was a chavalry sword, most of the time had slightly thicker blades (to slice'n dice better through light armor) and the length and wider curve was what a samurai riding a horse wanted. Uchigatana: At some point, samurai realized that riding a horse with a pointy stick rather than a sword stick or a sword was much better than just the sword. So they took older designs (back when they still used one handed, double-edged straight swords [Tsurugi]) and made the tachi smaller, thinner and less curved. Now you have a sword that you can just carry around in public.

Also one fact from distinguish them from another is Tachi's hilt is slightly more curve than Katana's.

Though the word katana itself can refer to a wider variety of Japanese swords it is generally used in reference to the blade popularized during the Edo era. The Uchigatana is generally considered the predecessor to the iconic katana, and has less curve to it than the Tachi. The reason the tachi is worn hanging from the belt blade side down (as opposed to the uchigatana worn thrust into the obi blade side up) is that it was meant for use from horseback and is much easier to draw than the uchigatana in mounted combat.

You're doing God's work here, sir

Thankfully another soul that realizes the true name of the ‚katana‘

Also, the tachi has a curved tang and the katana has a straight tang. And each has a maker's mark on the grip that faces out from the body of the wearer, on the left for the katana and on the right for the tachi.

Could you do a video on the effectiveness of gauntlets in sword fights?

@samgomez9942

Жыл бұрын

I'd watch that

There was this fantasy game called Arkona. It was set in the X century. Slavic nations vs Catholics. You could play as one of those fractions. Magic was based on Slavic and catholic beliefs. All monsters where from folklore. Equipment was only from that time period. Pretty neat game tbh

Thank u for your info ... 🙏

Katana is for horseback and battlefield Uchigatana is for 1 on 1 encounters in the street and are slightly shorter and are meant for killing enemies with a single blow (iajuitsu/battoujutsu).

Wow the resemblance is stunning, you look like Eric Forman no joke