▼Learn more about this topic▼ How Samurai Trained Physically & Mentally Through Katana Training and Zen Meditation kzread.info/dash/bejne/ZXdolLaOkbi3dNY.html *The content is based on personal studies and experience There is no intention of denying other theories and cultural aspects When you imagine a samurai fighting, wouldn’t he be using a katana? However in the past when they actually existed, it was a weapon that they actually hardly used. During the war eras, the samurai would mainly fight with long range weapons like bows, guns, and spears (including naginata) which were most effective on the battlefield. In iaido (the katana martial art), we are taught that “a battle with a katana is done within a tatami mat distance (182cm/71in).” So you can understand how close you have to be in order to attack your opponent with a katana, and it would be very strange/unusual to try to use a short range weapon on the battlefield. Every samurai would carry a katana with them, but it was the last weapon they would use only in extremely close combat or for defensive reasons. In other words, if you are using a sword, it means that you are in a very desperate situation and have no other choice. During the peaceful Edo period (1603-1868) with no wars, the samurai were always required to always have two katana (one long and one short) by law, as a symbol of their class authority. However, they would hardly have any occasions to use them either, because if you didn’t have a good reason and an eye witness to prove its legitimacy, even just showing your blade in public could get you thrown in jail or sentenced to death. So the samurai were taught… “If you're not prepared to die, don't pull out your katana."

@alijahbeanz

2 жыл бұрын

Hey listen to me is it true that the samurai were always the best warriors in history but what’s the point what makes Japan its greatest value

@shreddedbagelwabiwabo8342

2 жыл бұрын

Why do you write your script in comments? We can see the video y'know?

@waterbottlefilms6563

2 жыл бұрын

@@shreddedbagelwabiwabo8342 it's for blind people

@Sadako2602

2 жыл бұрын

@@waterbottlefilms6563 Blind people can hear the video tho (?)

@cottagecreeche8852

2 жыл бұрын

@@shreddedbagelwabiwabo8342 deaf people maybe?

Imagine spending years training in the way of the sword to kill the samurai who killed your father, countless hours of pain and misery to become a demon with the blade, you approach the man and he pulls out a pistol and kills you

@raiden7194

2 жыл бұрын

demon slayer be like

@-luna326

2 жыл бұрын

@@raiden7194 Genya be like: 😈🤝

@oklofi8885

2 жыл бұрын

well… then again… this is real life and not an anime

@daddybondrewd7271

2 жыл бұрын

"skill issue"

@nicholasmuro1742

2 жыл бұрын

Katana is crap. It's a light sword. Bigger, heavier in battle wins the day. Artillery is called the KING of battle for a reason. Heavier weapons run the battlefield. Elephants are the true king of the jungle not lions. Lions just look the part.

"If you're not prepared to die don't pull out your katana" That's have a deep meaning, thank you!

@evanbeers1644

2 жыл бұрын

This should be taught to people who buy guns. Seeing as so many people don't get that guns are super deadly.

@Fenix-pw5ge

2 жыл бұрын

I Think thats a reference from the five Rings

@blackdive.official

2 жыл бұрын

I got goosebumps

@birbdad1842

2 жыл бұрын

@@evanbeers1644 Well in most places in the world that is a standard law. Just dont see it as a reason against sporting purpose, totally fine imo

@rhysgoodman7628

2 жыл бұрын

@@evanbeers1644 it is taught to people who buy guns, it’s just that only the irresponsible people are the ones you see on the news. Vast majority of gun owners are safe with their weapon. In fact, the most safe person to have a gun is someone who knows how and when to use it.

Basically the katana is the same as the combat knife for the soldiers in the military, to be reduced to using it means you're neck-deep in trouble.

@TriforceOfTheGods80

Жыл бұрын

More likely a pistol, a secondary weapon which is a sword is to samurai & knight.

@stevenbobbybills

Жыл бұрын

​@Hedonist Heathen remember, switching to your sword is faster than finding a new spear.

@benjaminparent4115

Жыл бұрын

@@TriforceOfTheGods80 And even that is not a perfect comparison because situation where your sidearm was more usefull than your main weapon were more common back in the day. Saying that sword were just secondary weapons often massively undersell their use on the battlefield. I am not expert in Japanese warfare, but I watched quite a bit of documentary about the late middle age and the renaissance era of europe. And paradoxally when pikemen became the main type of infantry, sword had bit of a renaissance. Pike were great battlefield weapons but were quite unwieldy, and if melee became too close quarter like during a push of pike they were basically useless. It is for that reasons that every pikemen had a swords and pike formation often also fielded soldier with shorter weapons like the famous spanish rodelero that used sword and buckler, the english billmen, the swiss halberdier or the famous german doppelsnoder which wielded haberd and zweihander. Shorter weapons were also used to exploit a gap in a pike formation. Though as time progressed and pike were no longer used offensively and push of pike were rarer those type of troop were graduall fazed out for more pikemen. Sword were also often used as the main weapon outside of battlefield, when you were not in formation like during a skirmish or during a siege while climbing a wall or fighting inside a building the sword would be often the only weapon used. I am ready to bet Katana were used similarly by japanese.

@dbrikashabukshan8673

11 ай бұрын

​@@benjaminparent4115heres a very simple rundown Your m1 garand (primary) if common use for mid range conflicts on the battlefirled Your pistol would be if soneone got up on you and your clip was empty Your knife is when someone has you physically grabbed (most likely choking) OR you have no ammo left at all Knife is the last resort. Pistol and Rifle would just be so you are prepared for different scenarios. The knife is what you use in desperate times.

@tugalord

10 ай бұрын

Or the longsword for late medieval knights, who used their longswords as ornament or as a sidearm, their main weapon usually being a mace or poleaxe

Police: "Sir, why did you pull out your katana, we need a logical reason" Me: "Because it looks cool" Police: "Unchain this man immediately!"

@whiteace_t.k.o8060

Жыл бұрын

Totally the katana over sword any day. I think animè is the sole reason I fell love with Japanese culture so much they be hyping us up and is where I wish I was reincarnated in the Samurai era

@hypnoticskull6342

Жыл бұрын

True

@parlor3115

Жыл бұрын

Then they all proceed to break dance!

@hypnoticskull6342

Жыл бұрын

@@parlor3115 The best ending

@hyberkonawa272

Жыл бұрын

@@whiteace_t.k.o8060 Remember that Samurai Era where also a very dark past because any mistakes against the orders of the shogun or the Japanese culture, you are forcefully sentenced to death Or decapitation as punishment to die with Honor. So... be careful for what you're wishing.

Real Samurai: Jousting archers Anime Samurai: I can slice planets in half.

@s888r

Жыл бұрын

+Ground-shaking Sound effect

@iruinedjojo3669

Жыл бұрын

+color trail

@t34calliope

Жыл бұрын

+Epic slowmo effect

@loser4182

Жыл бұрын

+delayed effect of damage

@dr.chopper3804

Жыл бұрын

@@loser4182 +character sheathing their katana slowly

Enemy: *Pulls out blade Samurai: *Pulls out musket "parry this you filthy casual"

@NinjaSushi2

2 жыл бұрын

Ah yes. Mordhau.

@mnassassin1231

2 жыл бұрын

Truly the greater fighter

@Highwayman21

2 жыл бұрын

SWORD SAINT ISSHIN INTENSIFIES

@ancientnoodle8372

2 жыл бұрын

*misses*

@its_saber1525

2 жыл бұрын

Dude, it's not hard to reflect *DEATHBLOWS*

Wise man once said "Those who lived by the sword, get shot by the one who don't"

@nguyenhiep1404

Ай бұрын

😂😂😂

"If you're not prepared to die don't pull out your katana." Not just a katana but basically any weapon.

@divinegreed8252

Жыл бұрын

Yes, but no, yeah any weapon can get you killed, but that depends on the user, in the samurai era, pulling out your katana without any reason could get you killed immediately, nowadays, worst you can get is gettung arrested

@FShani

Жыл бұрын

Yeah but you weren't carrying other weapons in the Edo period unless you're on one of the very few battlefields of the era.

@bjwedd18

Жыл бұрын

You destroyed that quote. SMH

@frankieslefttoe8210

Ай бұрын

​@divinegreed8252 my man in England pulling out any weapon will get you shot if you refuse to drop it

It's funny to see anime protagonists boast about their katana skills now that we know that they actually mean "I could not use a bow or gun to save my life".

@HanzTheODST

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah Also Samurai the second they were introduced to guns: LMG MOUNTED, AND LOADED

@ishashka

2 жыл бұрын

Anime protagonists usually don't fight as part of a formation in a large scale battle. As a duelling and personal defence weapon a katana (or swords in general) is excellent due to its versatility. But on the battlefield other weapons are more effective.

@BeeBait

2 жыл бұрын

@@ishashka spears are much more ubiquitous, as historically shown, so it stands to reason more accurate depictions would have them using said primary weapons before a more defensive and secondary weapon like the katana.

@threathy

2 жыл бұрын

Because anime protagonist is stronger than real human.

@adarheim1013

2 жыл бұрын

@@BeeBait spears are only great for battle formations tho

"If you're not prepared to die don't pull out your katana" has almost as much energy as lelouch saying "The only ones who should kill are the ones who are prepared to be killed "

@romanshorif2330

2 жыл бұрын

Ah, I see you're a man of culture as well.

@mihailmilev9909

2 жыл бұрын

@@romanshorif2330 where is that from?

@romanshorif2330

2 жыл бұрын

@@mihailmilev9909 Code Geass Protagonist: Lelouch The quote is from Lelouch The anime is a masterpiece.

@lmaomeh5137

2 жыл бұрын

“Live by the sword, die by the sword”

@jae_remastered

2 жыл бұрын

I'm tryna get met friend into anime and we're making our way thru the anime rn

"Wait, why in Nobunaga Oda's name would I use my brittle saber when I can just Blast my enemies with this cool flintlock rifle or do a drive by with my bow" -Some Samurai

@pierrecurie

Жыл бұрын

arquebus reaccs

@Xerxes1688

Жыл бұрын

Or poke them in the face with a spear.

Step 1: Carry two katana (required by law). Step 2: Unsheathe. Step 3: Get arrested.

@dancooke8811

11 ай бұрын

You'd have a Wakazashi and a Katana or a Tachi and a Wakazashi

@MC-24

29 күн бұрын

It’s nice to see governmental logic hasn’t changed much in 300-400 years.

@pookz3067

10 күн бұрын

@@MC-24it’s completely logical, so it looks like the stupidity of the governed also remains unchanged

Historically they were closer to mounted bowmen. They’d prefer spears if they used a melee weapon on horseback.

@leonamay8776

2 жыл бұрын

And the blades also got shorter during the edo period due to becoming more ceremonial / being intended for status purposes => became the Katana we know today. The status of carrying a blade was so high, that some of those not allowed to carry one wore empty sheaths for show IIRC...

@dflaming1371

2 жыл бұрын

Spears and staffs have always been the biggest, most efficient and easiest weapon in ground fights, bows and guns really were game changers. But the bow takes so much power to draw for killing force that not just anybody could pick one up and be deadly. Thus, the crossbow.

@cyberse2351

2 жыл бұрын

@@leonamay8776 lipl1

@cyberse2351

2 жыл бұрын

@@dflaming1371omjjj

@humandumpster3943

2 жыл бұрын

@@leonamay8776 what about the long katana when did they use those

This makes Japanese art (mostly samurai) posters even better because you can look at the painting/poster of a samurai holding his katana means that you're witnessing his most desperate time that is captured by the moment

@shaguftakhanam1275

Жыл бұрын

259 likes let me fix that

@user-bz1ll3ej1f

9 ай бұрын

True its not uncommon to find those with chipped bloodied blades peppered with arrows.

This is actually pretty true for knights as well. The sword was always more of a last ditch weapon with spears being preferable. They liked not getting so close for obvious reasons

@GeldtheGelded

11 ай бұрын

Depends on the period. Early knight in chainmail depended a lot on their horse and lance, since chainmail offers significantly less protection than plate and so distance to the enemy was the way to go. In the later middle ages, knights were basically walking tanks, that used more blunt and piercing weapons like flanged maces and poleaxes

@uncannybeagle7512

6 ай бұрын

*Greatswords have entered the chat*

@andrewweitzman4006

3 ай бұрын

However, unarmored dueling and self-defense when not armored up were more common than in Edo-era Japan.

“YOU'RE PUTTING YOUR LIFE ON THE LINE BY POINTING THAT AT ME.” From Shanks has a whole new meaning now. I see why it resonated so deeply with Japanese readers

It'd be great if you covered the firearms usage by the samurai. A lot of people see them as only using swords, bows, and horses completely forgetting that they had access to firearms in the later centuries

@darthzayexeet3653

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah especially Oda Nobunaga loved incorporating firearms into his tactics

@gibsonflyingv2820

2 жыл бұрын

That was a very brief period in the very long period of samurai history. Thus why people are often unaware of its usage in addition to swords and bows.

@jarskil8862

2 жыл бұрын

I mean Samurais themselves were not necressary against gunpowder if I remember correctly. They were however against "non samurai's" having access on gunpowder weapons. It would have made whole society class of samurais useless, if normal peasants without any training could be better than warriors with years of training

@tridinh1011

2 жыл бұрын

The samurais loved their guns, way more than katanas

@tridinh1011

2 жыл бұрын

@@jarskil8862 they were against everyone else having any form of weapon, even if it is a kitchen knife. They themselves loved their guns

Well that’s true of any warrior, spears were the primary weapon everywhere, swords were always just a sidearm.

@gustavoaraujopenha8463

2 жыл бұрын

@alida flus you must really like spears. This is the fourth comment I see you replying hahaha

@eagle162

2 жыл бұрын

@alida flus they were use against armored opponents some surviving schools still teach armored combat with swords tho not the katana exactly as people know it today. Japanese swords were even imported to other asian countries use in combat of course they would have also use armor.

@Raakarapu

2 жыл бұрын

The romans being an exception to the rule.

@gustavoaraujopenha8463

2 жыл бұрын

@Loup DeFer even if you could afford a sword it still a poorer weapon overall. People with mony would use halberds, polehammers and so on.

@gibsonflyingv2820

2 жыл бұрын

@alida flus Not for show no, but it depends on the era. During the time when armored combat was prevalent in midevil Japan they didn't use the katana, they tended towards the tachi, a much larger curved sword. Katana did not become the main stay until much later.

"If you're prepared to die, don't pull out"

@eugeneflores6153

Жыл бұрын

I remember my Ex when i didn't do what she said T_T

@boopdino8053

Жыл бұрын

Everything reminds me of her....

@Logicalsane

Жыл бұрын

Why would a girl say that?? It's a man's right to not pull out if he doesn't want to

@Logicalsane

Жыл бұрын

​@@eugeneflores6153 Why would a girl say that?? It's a man's right to not pull out if he doesn't want to

@librac5

Жыл бұрын

​@@Logicalsanewhy would you say that? It's women's right to not have a child before they're prepared for it

The same applies to most societies in history. The weapon of choice for the battlefield was almost always a spear or a kind of polearm along with ranged weapons. The reason is quite simple: if you can outrange your opponent, you can't be harmed.

"Swiching to your katana is always faster than reloading" Edit: guys it's a joke (apperently a COD one?) That made sense considering the context

@cranberrycracker6847

2 жыл бұрын

Said every weeb

@jonaswerner8480

2 жыл бұрын

@@cranberrycracker6847 At a certain distance a blade is more usefull then a gun, so it has a point

@veryrealperson3694

2 жыл бұрын

@@jonaswerner8480 yeah, thats kinda what swords do, theyre sharp n stuff

@Zack-bl2gg

2 жыл бұрын

@@jonaswerner8480 no, a blade is never more useful than a gun. The only time you could say that is at very close quarters, when you’re rolling around on the ground, and a knife would be more useful then a gun because you can’t aim the gun at him while you’re rolling around. But you can’t stab someone with a katana while you’re rolling around.

@whi2gan

2 жыл бұрын

🤣🤣🤣

Meanwhile salty weebs raging about their misconception of Katanas being the ultimate sword and best weapon ever designed.

@teal_m_101

2 жыл бұрын

'While you were studying the blade, I just shot you with this gun.'

@eyeballpapercut4400

2 жыл бұрын

@AdmiralOddSock At least the non-very high quality ones at the time, or at least not the modern reproductions

@itstriplem2069

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah the spatha is the best sword

@dracodragonknightkorosenai

2 жыл бұрын

@AdmiralOddSock Katana looks cooler + No one is gonna use a katana or any medieval weapon in this and age

@dracodragonknightkorosenai

2 жыл бұрын

@AdmiralOddSock Just saying once again katanas look at least 100x better than European swords

It's the same case with almost all warriors in the past, archery was almost like sniping or suppressive weapon, polearms and spears were like a modern rifle while a sword was more like a sidearm/pistol.

"Don't pull out your katana if you're not prepared to die" And I thought this was a savage phrase original in gintama

I feel like swords simply exist as an ideology of battle. They weren’t actually that efficient, nor were they even used very often. It’s just become the thing we associate with a warrior the most. It’s a symbol.

@wesswise28

2 жыл бұрын

I mean, in a time when you needed to be able to defend yourself from unexpected animals (including humans) and guns were non-existent or werde effectively single shot, a long knife was likely very useful

@GeraltofRivia22

2 жыл бұрын

Pretty true, especially since sword could be made extremely beautiful and ornate, and were often symbols of power like crowns or scepters.

@KaiiAyrenNevaeh

2 жыл бұрын

@@wesswise28 And a lance or similar is even better and easier to make... So no.

@wesswise28

2 жыл бұрын

@@KaiiAyrenNevaeh actual long knives were the most common tbh. A lance and even a sword is too cumbersome to carry if you're gonna use it once every few months if you're really unlucky

@KaiiAyrenNevaeh

2 жыл бұрын

@@wesswise28 Fair enough, got caught up in every other comment talking about battlefields. But I'll say a long knive isn't a sword in my book, but I'm not a native English speaker so I might be speaking nonsense over semantics I'm not familiar with.

Spear > sword. You can thrust fast with a spear, you don’t lose balance and you can keep your distance while thrusting. Also in Medieval Europe long range weapons were used on the battlefield. However a spear was less useful against knight armor, thus came the halberds, hammers, etc. Before that axes were used against chainmail.

@XPRforJustice

2 жыл бұрын

What about the queelag fury sword

@GiftBeats

2 жыл бұрын

Depends where you take the fight. Spears are useless in close quarters/small spaces. Thus they had both :p

@jamesfair9751

2 жыл бұрын

Yes I also try to keep as much distance when I’m trusting someone. If you get too close and trust them they can hurt you badly. However I would think you would need to be a bit closer when thrusting a weapon into someone.

@Ken_Jones

2 жыл бұрын

@@GiftBeats Most could not afford a sword. Also, a sword always needed repairs after a fight. People who could afford a sword, wore it as a sidearm. Maybe for within small spaces. But really, what kind of small spaces were there in combat situations? A bedroom? A small house? Those are places you wouldn't take a spear with you. We are talking about battle fields here.

@GiftBeats

2 жыл бұрын

Like most couldn’t afford full armor. Samurai often had them selves covered for all ranges/scenarios tho and were upperclass, compared to low class soldiers only being able to afford a spear. Spears were great weapons especially for the frontline, not so much when lines are broken, and it gets dense (that’s a small space for you right there.) I’m not saying one is better then the other, you clearly are. Which is better, bow or spear? Totally depends on the situation doesn’t it.

"if you're not prepared to die don't pull your katana" Is such a raw phrase

Huh Miyamoto Musashi clearly ignored that one

@minecraftkingest4116

11 ай бұрын

he wasn't really an samurai, samurais have masters but ronins are masterless so that is what Musashi was, he was basically just an swordsman a martial artist

@stuff485

11 ай бұрын

@@minecraftkingest4116 I get what you're saying but I have heard ronin referred to as masterless samurai and most people don't know the difference so I just refer to him as a samurai for simplicity sake. But yes you are correct.

@minecraftkingest4116

11 ай бұрын

@@stuff485 Oh i assumed that you didn't know the difference cause you know most people don't but okay

@CornellD.Cavendish

10 ай бұрын

​@@minecraftkingest4116Someone who won 64 duels to the death and followed bushido all his life isnt a samurai? After all Samurai only means warrior or knight. A Ronin isnt necessarily a samurai but being masterless or born in peace times doesnt make someone not a warrior.

@minecraftkingest4116

10 ай бұрын

@@CornellD.Cavendish no samurai doesn't mean a warrior they are more like knights they follow masters and Musashi was more like just a swordsman than even a ronin cause he never actually followed someone but he did assist some emperors in later of his life

If anyone’s still blurry on it, think about how military personal like marines have knives on them, but it’s a last resort after your other weapons

@pinkdawn5039

2 жыл бұрын

big knife

@OSTemli

2 жыл бұрын

During year 3000, they will have our 21st century era soldier using knifes in history drama instead of gun

@Barronvoncrash

2 жыл бұрын

Now days pistols play a more similar role to the swords. Primary weapon-Spears & bows then, rifle now. Sidearm- swords then pistols now. Daggers then, knifes now. K-bar does not equal sword.

@mattnobrega6621

2 жыл бұрын

Oooorah k-bar!

@lildemon6816

2 жыл бұрын

A pistol is a better comparison. The sword on your hip is a sidearm.

Isn't another reason is that the metal they needed for katanas really hard to aquire or refine? I'm not sure as I heard this a long time ago

@cj-hc2yf

2 жыл бұрын

Japan didn't have a lot of high quality steel while in Europe it was everywhere, so the process took longer to make one.

@digitaljanus

2 жыл бұрын

Yes, but even sword-making cultures with ready access to decent steel rarely employed them as main battlefield weapons. They were usually backup sidearms, personal defence, or for use in duels or similar personal combats.

@aemeth5418

2 жыл бұрын

I don't really know any culture exepct ancient Rome that used sword as a main battelfield weapon.

@mattsterh7740

2 жыл бұрын

Probably. Japan is an island so their resources are limited. Thats why their statue making wouldnt use whole blocks of wood like other nations and would use the wood to form an internal skeleton.

@boredfangerrude

2 жыл бұрын

@@digitaljanus It depends on what era you're talking about. When we talk about the medieval era, that is certainly true but wouldn't necessarily be true in the classical era or earlier when chainmail and platemail didn't exist, leaving armor that wasn't great against swords.

The Katana is the minimal armament. You have it on you all the time. For battles of course, you choose the longest possible range. Like a pistol and a rifle on modern soldiers. You always carry your pistol, when on low intensity, but the rifle is used for combat situations with the pistol as a reserve

What I’ve learned about a katana is its not only a weapon but a piece of art

In my experience, the sword being disproportionately depicted as a weapon of choice is something most modern cultures are guilty of. Most people would picture a European knight as wielding a sword similar in size to a Katana, with or without a shield, when in reality, since armored knights frequently engaged other armored knights, their main weapon would be a heavy axe or hammer designed to defeat said armor. A knight's arming sword was instead, much like the katana in practice, both a symbol and expression of a noble's privilege, and a last resort on the battlefield.

@oz459

2 жыл бұрын

They even held their longswords at the blade and hit the enemy with the handle because it dealt more damage against armor. Fights between knights weren’t about stabbing or slashing but rather about blunt force

@Artameful

2 жыл бұрын

@@oz459 well there was definitely still stabbing and cutting, just not when it would be potentially thwarted because then it would bounce off the armor. The goal was to get into the gaps and joints of the armor, so grappling was a big force they had, so they could pin you, rip off your helmet maybe and then put a dirk straight into you

@oz459

2 жыл бұрын

@@Artameful yes of course. But it wasn’t used to fight. It was used to execute.

@richie_23

2 жыл бұрын

Knights wouldve used polearms and spears rather than swords, and even then they wouldve had used the longer two handed swords and not the usual longsword which is a one handed weapon

@jooot_6850

2 жыл бұрын

@@richie_23 “longsword” is a pretty broad category of weapon. It can apply to 1 handed, 1,5 handed and 2 handed blades all the same. Some longswords may as well be considered greatswords; others might be indistinguishable from an arming sword

This is very similar with Sword for European Knights; swords are basically like the Pistol of the past, You only use it if you're desperate

@jaketheasianguy3307

2 жыл бұрын

Depends on what kind of sword tho. Zweihander/Montante are Landsknecht's favorite main weapon beside pole weapons in 15th century. Some units used arming sword and sidesword alot with big shields along side other troops that used pole weapons. Sabre are calvary's main weapon around 1796. The Europeans used their swords in battlefield and daily life way more frequently than the Japanese

@grzexd

2 жыл бұрын

Actually medieval europe was the only place in time where they actually used swords as main weapons during battle, not everyone obviously but a decent chunk of medieval warriors, especially rich Noble knights did

@jarskil8862

2 жыл бұрын

@@grzexd Are you mixing heavy two handed sword with one handed sword? Swords were used, but like said by the other commenter above, it was not preferred weapon.

@user-do5zk6jh1k

2 жыл бұрын

And to compare to air combat, katanas are our guns and bows are our missiles. Even dogfights are romanticized by the public.

@thebritishinquisition3975

2 жыл бұрын

Short/one handed sword specifically.

The same in Europe, the sword was just a backup weapon for the spear and polearms.

Golden rule of ALL weapons: Don't pull it, lest you gon use it!

I'm reading the book of five rings by Miyamoto Musashi and he makes countless references to katana fighting on an open field, inside buildings, on horseback, against bows/guns, against single and multiple opponents etc. Both by him and other schools. He actually chastises other schools for focusing so much on the katana.

@topansunaryo8209

2 жыл бұрын

dude beat sasaki kojiro with Suns

@Hanif_Aidil_F

2 жыл бұрын

In the book , he usually used hit and run, and ambush tactic to kill a person...so it's not like one of those flashy movie

@marocat4749

2 жыл бұрын

@@Hanif_Aidil_F He even did unnerve a person before a duel by letting him wait. He was not above dirty tricks. But i guess thats why he is a swordsman,not a samurai ( other than no noble heretage)

@erichvondonitz5325

2 жыл бұрын

@@Hanif_Aidil_F He is an assassin, aint no honorable warrior

@Aceshot-uu7yx

Жыл бұрын

He also way famous for duel wielding.

This is pretty true for swords in general throughout history. Swords were the pistol of the past, a sidearm. (With the exceptions of things like claymores/greatswords) The draw of swords is that they are easy and relatively comfortable to carry on one's person without needing to hold it making them great self defense weapons and sidearms for when your main battlefield weapon is lost or disabled.

@avichaid6021

2 жыл бұрын

Also a big exception of cavalry swords (both roman cavalry and 18th-19th century)

@dylanbee8350

2 жыл бұрын

Remember, switching to your katana is always faster than reloading

@eyeballpapercut4400

2 жыл бұрын

Arming swords are generally the Glocks of medieval Europe

@dakdewolf

2 жыл бұрын

The Japanese version of a claymore would be something like an odachi, basically an over sized katana, and was used as a primary weapon.

@MeansOfProduction209

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah swords and handguns fulfill very similar rolls. Scabards and holsters make them relatively easy to carry. They can even weight around the same( for instance my steel frame 1911 weighs around 1.75 lbs, and one handed swords would usually weigh around 1.5-2.5 lbs depending on the style and blade length.

I heard the same was true for knights and swords. We associate knights and swords, but knights mainly used other battlefield weapons.

Just imagine a Samurai charging onto battle in horseback with Double pump shotgun 💀

There's a reason why Raiden Shogun's weapon is a polearm instead of a sword.

@carlos--fernando2404

2 жыл бұрын

Well, now that you mentioned ... it make sense

@Sabbathtage

2 жыл бұрын

And Sara Kujou sticks with a bow. Those two team up so well together.

@neverletmego6414

2 жыл бұрын

Is there also a reason why she pulled it out of her boobs?

@slimetank394

2 жыл бұрын

@@neverletmego6414 dev need money

@mizukii_IO

2 жыл бұрын

True..

Basically pop culture separated use from reality

@thedarklightskin

2 жыл бұрын

Well sort of I mean it’s still reality but not the absolute truth like they still were excellent swordsman but it wasn’t their primary weapons

@luggy9256

2 жыл бұрын

@@thedarklightskin some would have been excellent swordsmen, others would have been incredibly mediocre…

@jarskil8862

2 жыл бұрын

Same problem with Knight's swords in Europe. They were secondary status symbol weapons but media makes it seem that short sword was some super weapon breaking shields and spears.

@thedarklightskin

2 жыл бұрын

@@jarskil8862 I think it really just depends on the swords though in Europe especially

@td9250

2 жыл бұрын

@@jarskil8862 I've literally never heard nor seen something remotely close to what you've just described. Maybe get better media standards...

"If your not prepared to die, don't pull out your Katana." Add that quote to the book of kicking butt quotes.

I recently started learning about samurai, daimyo, and shogun in school

Don't bring a katana to a bow and arrow fight.

@BrumEldar

2 жыл бұрын

@@manabellum *Sad noises in the back*

@baligong3592

2 жыл бұрын

Anime Protags: "I beg to differ"

@mirzapramudya1580

2 жыл бұрын

Well someone hasn't played Team Fortress

@TheDrunkenGunsmith

2 жыл бұрын

@@mirzapramudya1580 degroot

@LD44457

2 жыл бұрын

Just parry the arrows.

The spear is such a fantastic weapon. So simple yet effective.

@juliovielma8703

2 жыл бұрын

It is boring in entertainment industry that is why it is not seen very often

“Remember switching to your katana is faster than reloading” -Samurai probably

"If you're not prepared to die don't pull out your katana". Man that's even MORE bad azz!👏🏾

I didn’t know the ninja turtles got in such serious battles on such a regular basis

@JakeCari

2 жыл бұрын

😂😂😂

@oz459

2 жыл бұрын

They aren’t samurai, they are assassins. As an assassin you will almost always fight close quarter so a spear or a loud gun doesn’t make sense

@mirzapramudya1580

2 жыл бұрын

Well yeah, all the enemies they face either are covered in heavy armour or fight close range

@kill_kat6454

2 жыл бұрын

@@oz459 oooh right

@Aceshot-uu7yx

Жыл бұрын

@@oz459 we should have given raph guns and had them snipe people. Shredder would be dead in his first appearance if splinter trained them like actual ninjas. Ninja's used a lot of guns and even made some of there own. Obunaga was almost assassinated by a sniper for Pete sake. The ninja used a lot of diffrent weapons but they loved guns even if they were loud because they were better at killing without being seen. Same reason snipers are used now of days to assinate targets.

It makes a lot of sense. Why would you attack in close range and put yourself at a disadvantage when bows existed. Think of it as a hunting dagger

@vailix9627

2 жыл бұрын

@Lasagna and Spaghetti Nation unfortunately, no one has that.

I learned some things that I did not know before concerning the samurai.

I learned something just now. Thank You.

The katana as a sidearm and backup weapon holds true for medieval knights as well. Weapons like lances and pollaxes were the primary battlefield weapon of the knight, with a sword held as backup

@dandydanthedapperman7797

2 жыл бұрын

Swords were also cheep, so poorer fighter could only use swords while knights may use things like lances or sickle-esque weapons

@Kronecraft

2 жыл бұрын

@@dandydanthedapperman7797 It depends on when in the middle ages. In the early middle ages swords were rather expensive, but as time goes on they become cheaper and cheaper. What made the lance restrictive wasn't the cost of the lance itself, it's essentially a glorified spear. It's that to use a lance you must have a warhorse, and presumably other costly pieces of equipment. If you aren't incredibly wealthy, you aren't in a position to need a lance. I frankly have no idea what you're referring to with "sickle-esque weapons," but a standard knightly weapon in the late middle ages was the pollaxe, a short polearm (around the height of a person) with a spike on both ends, and 2 of either an axe, a hammerhead, or a hooked spike. It was made to counter heavily armored opponents

Before watching, bows & spears/ naginata were primary, swords have pretty much always been a sidearm, even in medieval Europe. Essentially swords were the pistols of the past.

@FalkonNightsdale

Жыл бұрын

I was looking, whether anyone already mentioned, that it's same as in Europe - mythical weapons, that were merely a sidearm or self-defence tool (of civilians) at best…

@mmgg1671

Жыл бұрын

european swords were much more useful

@jstar3382

Жыл бұрын

Having something short range as your main weapon is a death sentences. It's there for close quarters and as a last resort.

@Chicky_Lumps

Жыл бұрын

​@@mmgg1671 Polearms were the primary melee weapon in pretty much every pre-firearm region that had a medieval era, that I can think of. Including Europe.

@mmgg1671

Жыл бұрын

@@Chicky_Lumps no, in europe swords and claymores were also a primary weapon

i saw in another documentary they were primarily mounted archers... which is an amazing skill.. they could ride af full gallop and atill shoot their bow accurately.. so cool.

"If you're not prepared to die, don't pull out your Katana." That is *_the most_* Samurai quote I have _ever_ heard!

My first thought: well, maybe because their opponents weren't actually a rolled tatami mats!?

Enemy showing up with a sword for the fight: The samurai that brought a 50 cal: The future is now old man.

Expectations: "I am the way of the sword" Reality: "BANG BANG B*TCH"

That is true for many historical warriors, first Bows, then lances then swords

"If you're not prepared to die, don't pull out your katana" has the same vibes as "Now that you've drawn your pistol, are you willing to use it? I'm saying that guns aren't for threats they're for actions" (Shanks). Now I think I know where the inspiration for that line came from

@slvshy666

2 жыл бұрын

"loaded or not, don't ever point a gun at something you're not about to shoot" is a pretty universal gun rule taught by anyone who respects guns.

@ahmadh8619

2 жыл бұрын

This is when i learned about "when you pull out your weapon, you are ready to die"

@Ruiluth

2 жыл бұрын

It's a pretty common rule about deadly weapons across many cultures, all the way from ancient times.

@thetshadow999animates9

2 жыл бұрын

Makes me wonder if it was acceptable to only use a katana if you were badass and took everyone down, heading straight into battle. You were prepared to die but you were too worthy to.

@marocat4749

2 жыл бұрын

Thats a general fighting rule

"if you're using a katana, it means you're in a very desperate situation" Reminds me of something.

@agent-sz2qj

2 жыл бұрын

Is it weaboos ?

Nice ! 😊 Excellent history lesson.

I love Katana I fall in love with my lovely katana

The thought that samurai used guns fucks with my perception of time so hard

@kojeta3200

Жыл бұрын

Right? Makes you realize both that the Sengoku Jidai wasn't that long ago, and that the samurai continued to exist for a VERY long time

It's the same story with swords everywhere. Even tho swords are massive in media, they always were backup weapons.

@Raakarapu

2 жыл бұрын

Primary weapon of the Romans for a long time tho.

@marocat4749

2 жыл бұрын

And ceremonial and status symbol, why they became so popular in media in the first place.

@garryferrington811

2 жыл бұрын

@@Raakarapu Along with spears and bows. They also had immense crossbows on platforms, while Byzantines - who were Romans - had "Greek" fire. Mind you, we're talking about more than 800 years, so there were different developments at different times.

@Raakarapu

2 жыл бұрын

@@garryferrington811 Yes 100% agree. My point (in my head) was that people tend to take things to the extreme like "swords have never been a primary weapon" which while mostly correct isn't always the case. The cladius would not have worked without the scutum. So context is important. Btw no idea if I'm spelling everything right I pretty much speak only finnish and drunk now too.

@vinz4066

2 жыл бұрын

@@Raakarapu Dont forget the pilum. It was Just as Important as scutum and gladius

"Katana no waza wo sasae, takumi wo takara wo yosu" 🗿

Samurai were like the guy who peaked in high school. Always talking about how awesome he was in the past, and all that awesome stuff that he totally did all the time.

"Remember, switching to your katana is always faster than reloading"

@celestien4647

Жыл бұрын

Meme approved

The form of a Samurai using a bow is really beautiful. Archery is so pretty!

Makes perfect sense

"If you are not prepared to die, don't pull out your [weapon]." Timeless quote that I wish all people would follow today.

@kevinmills1318

Жыл бұрын

Reminds me of a country tune, by the late great Johnny Cash - *don't take your guns to town*

Thank you for this video💚 Many people dont realise that sword is mostly status symbol or dueling weapon not battlefield weapon

Love it ❤️ It was very similar for european knights They mostly used spears/poleaxes with a sword as reserve weapon

Even the medieval samurai knew to take advantage of range. Nobody is really that death hungry.

Samaria: jumps; katana blade is slightly exposed Shogun: I see you've chosen death

"If youre not prepared to die dont pull out your katana" ironically "If you're not prepared to die, DO pull out your mini-katana"

@skullcrusade3436

2 жыл бұрын

Wakizashi are rarely used to combat

@mrkiky

2 жыл бұрын

@@skullcrusade3436 it was mainly used for making sandwiches

@tredecimangeli3196

Жыл бұрын

@@skullcrusade3436 indoor?

I always admired Japanese culture in those times I can't imagine what it was like for two actual samurai to face eachother

@Aceshot-uu7yx

Жыл бұрын

Drive by with bow and arrow on a horse.

@jbertucci

Жыл бұрын

Bow, chit chat, drink tea, say goodbye.

@PromethiaSHADOW

Жыл бұрын

Im sure it was a very big deal and the reason had to be extreme. Dueling in the street was outlawed and the winner was usually ordered to commit suicide unless there was a legitimate reason and witnesses to the entire situation. Sometimes the winner was executed depending on what kind of position his opponent held. For example if a samurai of a lower house killed a noblemam for insulting his lord the samurai would be ordered to suicide and his lord may be disgraced or reprimanded. At one point it was illegal to even draw your sword within the city limits of Edo

@hackerman203

Жыл бұрын

​@@jbertucci*say goodnight

Finally someone who made a video about this, Thank you so now people won’t believe that katana is the only weapon

With great power comes great responsibility😮

Very cool, knights had a similar system, using their sword as their last resort and usually using different weapons during battle

I know anime and movies love swords a lot more than other weapons for samurai, but I wonder if theaterical depictions of samurai started the trend. It would be easier for an actor to stage-fight with a sword rather than a spear or bow

@marocat4749

2 жыл бұрын

There plays definitly in that swords always were status symbols, in the west too. And that plays in myths, stories and what else perception. Because they are status symbols. Maybe stage fights are easier too but that has to play a role.

@schwarz8614

2 жыл бұрын

Not just for samurai. Medieval knights are also always depicted fighting with swords when they hardly ever did.

@Lyl_Gamescook

2 жыл бұрын

It would definitely be easier to move around with a sword in a movie but in an actual melee battlefield, spears are better.

The kanabo: everyone forgot about me huh

“If you’re not prepared to die, don’t pull out.”

_weeb talking about katanas_ samurai: _pulls out gun_

@ag4640

2 жыл бұрын

Weeb: ok, but samurais ride horses Samurai: *pulls out tank*

I read somewhere about Samurai being an Archer 1st, Spearman 2nd and Swordman 3rd... Basically sword are their last stand against enemies when the other two weapons failed.

I love videos like this

It’s fun to learn about Japanese culture from you! Keep it up!

This question is pretty universal if anyone know anything about the time Era of blades for any country. Spears, halberds, or in this case an example would be a naginata(and bows), were the primary weapons of warfare because it was significantly safer to the wielder to be further away out of danger

@carsonjones528

2 жыл бұрын

Or the yari, “spear”

@vinz4066

2 жыл бұрын

And much easier to use You can Teach every Idiot how to use a Spear in a Short amount of time.

This was pretty much the same in Europe. Bows, Poleweapons and percussion weapons (mace, warhammer etc) were the weapons used on the battlefield. Swords were secondary or tertiary weapons. But, for everyday protection (if it was legal to carry a sword in town) traveling or duels....that's where Swords were used almost exclusively.

@boredfangerrude

2 жыл бұрын

Well, that's not true for the entirety of history, it's definitely true more so for the medieval period but when we talk about earlier periods where armor like chainmail and platemail didn't exist, swords would have been a lot more common and more often used as a primary weapon.

@32gigs96

2 жыл бұрын

@@boredfangerrude spears were always WAY better. Way longer reach, piercing ability, it’s cheaper, actually useful against cavalry and was much easier to train someone to use

@meliagant1650

2 жыл бұрын

Depends on the time you are looking at. Spears/polearm weapons have always been the primary weapon on the battlefield. But swords were pretty common in the "beginning" of the medival period ("beginning" because a period that lasts for 1000 years like the medival one is not really a great way to look at things) As armor progressed swords became more and more irrelevant und became secondary or tertiary weapons

@jooot_6850

2 жыл бұрын

@@32gigs96 eh, there are some cultures, most notably the Romans, who did main the sword as their infantryman’s weapon

@boredfangerrude

2 жыл бұрын

@@32gigs96 I wasn't commenting on what weapon was better though, just that swords were very popular in certain periods of time as more than just a secondary weapon.

I only learned this from playing shogun when I was little. I Remember the yari, the archers and when you get gunpowder the ashigaru

Who else is watching shogun and finding out from these videos just how in depth they went with their research in the era and culture.

This is actually a fact I learned thanks to a game called Legend of the Five Rings. The rpg mentions that the Katana was a bit more often used for ceremonial duels (like an Iaijutsu duel) where both combatants were unarmored since armored opponents could potentially damage the blade. Just like how European knights more often used maces and spears to disable enemies, samurai would use much of the same thanks to the hardier construction of such weapons.

"if your not prepared to die dont pull out your katana" me who has a katana and unsheaths it just to look at it all the time: R U N

On a battlefield, ranged weapons are preferable to melee weapons and polearms are preferable to swords. Keeping yourself and your soldiers as far away from the enemy as possible is a great strategy.

I remember how it blew my mind that this concept not only applied to samurai, but most ancient warriors. You always wanted to keep your distance.

Life’s like a box of chocolates, you never know when you’re gonna crack

Basically most movies and shows use Katanas because they look very cool and are heavily associated with Samurai. But the most historically accurate movies/shows/animes depict Samurai using Bows, Spears, Polearms or Guns.

@joonaspeltomaki6167

2 жыл бұрын

Their point is to be entertaining, so yea, they will use the coolest things with the widest appeals usually

Isshin the glocksaint is starting to make more and more sense now