![]() The Influence of the Great Straight Sword, the “Sukanto” ![]() Notably, the swords made during the war have nakagos that are much longer and thus appropriate for two-handed use. Thus, when they were fitted with a tsuka meant for two-handed use, this resulted in the tsuka breaking. These Nihontos were old swords (heirlooms) that actually had the nakago length of a one-handed sword. In any event, there is the example from World War II, where many of the Nihontos that were brought to battle suffered broken tsukas (handles). In Japanese myth, the Totsuka blade is an example, but even the famous Shichie blade located at the Isonokami Shrine is so called because, the author thinks, the blade is seven (“shichi”) hand lengths long. Tangentially, the preferred length of the blade for Nihonto should be seven hand lengths. ![]() In Europe, the length of the nakago and the length of the blade usually have a predictable range of ratios (either 1:1, 1:1.5, or 1:2). Similarly, too, Japanese blades can be examined by looking at the length of the nakago. Historically, one-handed short swords have a nakago of about the length of one hand. Notably, one could see evidence that the tachi was handled using one hand by looking at the nakago (tang). When the tachi (use on horseback) evolved and became the Nihonto (use on the ground), swordsman compensated for the lack of momentum, which would have been previously available when striking from horseback, by holding the sword with two hands. With respect to the curvature, it remained a characteristic of the Nihonto so that the swordsman could control force. While there are some tachi that are wide toward the pommel and thin toward the kissaki (this style of sword being known as “Funbari”), this might be for purpose of adjusting the balance of the sword. Because the swordsman needed one hand to hold the harness on the horse, the tachi also had to be light in order for him to manipulate the weapon with the other hand. It is likely that one of the reasons for the deep curve on the tachi-which was quite long and used from horseback-was to prevent the kissaki from hitting the ground. The tachi then evolved into a less curved sword, which served as the basis for the standard Nihonto. From the Heian Period to the Kamakura Period, the curved tachi appeared. In ancient times, Japanese swords were generally straight and/or double-edged. The Development of the Nihonto and Handling it with One Hand In addition, and as relevant to this article, this type of grip may shed light on the origins of the Nihonto as well. This is called the “handling technique of holding an egg.” Gripping the sword in this way prevents it from slipping out of the swordsman’s hand. To properly grip with the left hand, in Katori Shinto Ryu the tsuka-gashira (handle butt) is initially placed on the palm, and then the hand grips the sword as if wrapping the handle. This type of gripping allows for changes in the way the sword is held to execute the various techniques. The space between the right and left hands should be the length of one grip. The Nihonto is gripped with two hands, and the grip on the right and left hand should be held with particular attention to the middle finger and thumb. On this point, the grip on the sword is crucial, and it would not be an overstatement to say that the handling of the sword begins and ends with the grip. When a swordsman handles a sword, it is a basic understanding that the body and sword must become one. It is possible to see that the many fundamental techniques of the style reflect the nature and characteristics of the Nihonto. For example, let’s take a look at the most basic of the style’s techniques: how to hold the sword. Katori Shinto Ryu is one of three source styles for all Japanese kenjutsu and is one of the oldest koryu martial art. The author has, for a long time, devoted his study to Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto Ryu. This is the first of a series of articles relating to the research and discussion of the Nihonto. This article addresses some considerations regarding the connections between the handling of the Nihonto and the Nihonto’s origins. Making an inference from the way the Nihonto is gripped What Koryu Sword Handling Techniques Might Teach Us About the Origins of the Nihonto (informal unofficial English translation) Sugawara Sogo Budo Institute “Nihonto Research and Discussion”
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