All Types of Japanese Swords (history and how they were used)

[@Linfamy]

This video was supposed to be 6-8 mins, but got out of control.. Please consider supporting the channel =) 🔸PATREON (blog, art): www.patreon.com/Linfamy 🔸MERCH: teespring.com/stores/linfamy (shirts, stickers, phone cases, and more!) 🔸DONATE: www.paypal.me/Linfamy

[@julianmesta2876]

I cant wait for the spears video, love your work

[@tatianasilva7133]

Every single minute totally worth it! I've got my share of today's laughter lol

[@Linfamy]

@@julianmesta2876 😁👍

[@NationChosenByGod]

The chokuto was based on the Chinese Han dao and ken was based on the Chinese Jian. It was until during the late 7th century or early-mid 8th century that a famous Japanese swordsmith created the Kogarasu maru "litte crow"; a curved hybrid that you mentioned in the video. That sword had a false edged on one side and sharp edged on another. Later, the tang dao inspired the Japanese to further improve their Kogarasu maru into the Tachi.

[@jacobperschbacher3928]

So was that trap in the normal sense or anime trap.

[@Linfamy]

To make it easier:

[@Pac1fic]

ok

[@LoafOfBreadNamedFelix]

Watashi wa Kono bideo ga daisukidesu

[@LoafOfBreadNamedFelix]

I used Google translate

[@zPamboli]

at what length does it start being a nodachi? 3+ shaku?

[@Linfamy]

@@zPamboli right, 3 or higher

[@Random-Ten]

"When the sword is long, you know something's wrong" Sephiroth: Hold my Masamune

[@Linfamy]

Sephiroth's definitely overcompensating

[@jingreyes8710]

XD

[@Clark_808]

Stop it he has mommy issues

[@doggo_87__60]

So..that also means half of the anime n game characters?

[@Rhekon]

Tbf, neither cloud nor seph could probably wield those unwieldy swords.

[@LupeFiasco]

I love this video.

[@Dangocatzo]

Me too.

[@718YoungB]

Wow.... I was just bumpin "Dumb it Down" a few days ago for old times sake... Definitely packs the destructive power equivalent to swords shown in video....LMAO no joke!!!!... "Even scuba steve would find hard to breathe around these leagues" Chillll.....

[@gabe2892]

I was abt to say this but u alrdy said it hahaa. I had the same thought

[@JON-es4wk]

I love this video.

[@mattes4009]

i love this video

[@HalfafanD]

“Stop you’re so touchy!” (Tachi) “No, I’m using a Tanto.” I laughed way too hard at that.

[@clownman4211]

I'm actually really happy to have found this video, I've been studying European swords for a while and I recently just started learning about Asian swords to increase my overall knowledge about swords in general, the level of detail was great. Awesome video!

[@stpoon8400]

me: Every sword has it's differences mom: *Samurai sword*

[@Linfamy]

😂

[@johnapple6646]

Gun nut friend: that's a PDW it's a type of micro SMG that uses a different cartridge from both pistol and intermediate calibres Me: G U N

[@eh2239]

@@johnapple6646 oh hello fellow gun nerd would you rather prefer an mp5 or kriss vector

[@johnapple6646]

@@eh2239 45 Kriss vector man. Less practical but cool as shit. I'm also a bit of a .45 ACP stan

[@eh2239]

@@johnapple6646 hell I care more about practicality so mp5 for me but if I were to take the vector I'd prefer the 9mm for more hitting power but if and only if I have a lot of ammo to spare, I'd go for glock 18 just because 1. Easy to carry only needs holster 2. Dual wield for more firepower 3. Less bulky than an uzi

[@Linfamy]

11:58 why do I do this to myself. (sorry for the echoing/bad audio, I don’t have the right audio equipment for filming 🤷‍♂️)

[@Pac1fic]

I like ur singing

[@Linfamy]

thank you, one of the few ;)

[@alexandriacollins7119]

At 11:35, you notice that the names for the Tanto are miniscule.

[@Linfamy]

@@alexandriacollins7119 gotta find room for it somewhere :p

[@area609joe2]

What are you using?

[@dynamicworlds1]

"It's kinda like a polearm, but worse" _Thank you_ for summing up how I feel about oversized swords so prefectly!

[@Linfamy]

😁👍

[@dynamicworlds1]

@@Tay-v6v I've handled medieval weapons of many types in a range of historical accuracy. It honestly doesn't even matter that much. Above a certain length, with one exception of an anti-pike-specialized sword, you're always better off trading blade length for the advantages that come with a long haft instead of limiting yourself to a hit unless you're deliberately trading combat effectiveness for the portability of a sidearm. That's why there has been very little historic use of swords bigger than a single person could practically draw while wearing beyond the niche exception of those anti-pike greatswords I mentioned. Polearms are just that good. Leverage is a powerful thing. Swords, for however cool they may be, are almost universally sidearms, not primary weapons.

[@rakisuzuki-burke4148]

Really big swords combine all the advantages and disadvantages of one-handed swords and polearms

[@eesaf7969]

The fact that at 6:38 you put a picture of Rurouni Kenshin unsheathing his sakabatoe to illustrate the usefulness of its craftsmanship, puts you on the top for greatest historical channels on KZbin of all time.

[@AMF0504]

"When the sword is long you know something is wrong." Ah yes humor at my pain

[@gabrielgijo8679]

There is nothing wrong with my body

[@iglybo]

"History for procrastinators" Me watching this while procrastinating… don't judge me Linfamy XD

[@Linfamy]

I knew it!

[@Sein-pe9wl]

Ah...so I'm not alone after all

[@mrpanda9239]

i felt directly spoken to

[@alexandero9936]

I have to study for a test in 2 hours and I’m here

[@rumpelpumpel7687]

lol, my gaming nickname is Procrastinator

[@yuhan4469]

Japanese: let's use this technique to make our swords harder! *Sword gets bonus buffs* Japanese: heyyyyy... That's pretty good

[@eeshsinger]

Hell yeah its time for weapons with linfamy woop woop

[@Linfamy]

Woohoo 🎉

[@morrisstudio8372]

woop

[@missallegra7568]

As someone who practices the traditional Japanese archery (Kyudo) thank you so much for acknowledging the the popularity of it, I'd love to see you cover the bumpy history of Kyudo too, it very nearly disappeared at one point because of colonialism and it's really interesting

[@duaspontes3716]

"... ritual suicide" . . . "hey do you have that special someone in-"

[@anubisgodess2353]

I'm going to send this to my bf to cheer him up. He has a huge thing for swords, I can guarantee you if we get an apartment he's going to have a collection.🙄🤣

[@Linfamy]

Haha! Oh no, your poor wall.

[@shellknight1323]

WELL, EXCUUUUUUUSE ME!! PRINCESS! *Just be glad my love for you is Two above a Odachi/Nodachi. So you can at least sleep well knowing I'll save you in a house fire ... THEN GO BACK FOR MY SWORDS*

[@lottaleissner497]

@@shellknight1323 You, Sir, are a true gentleman! I reason my bf's got two good legs, my swords need me! Now, please excuse me while I go back to negotiating with said bf on how many swords we'll get from Linfamy's lovely sponsor!

[@ghoulchan7525]

when you are a touken ranbu player and you see the hybrid of the tsurugi and the tachi: Oh hey it's Kogarasumaru. this was a very informative video by the way.

[@tomoegozen1066]

Kogarasumaru in Toji no miko

[@rataraton7119]

Wait there’s a game?!?

[@ghoulchan7525]

@@rataraton7119 Touken Ranbu is a game and two anime shows. There's also some manga musicals and stage plays.

[@rataraton7119]

@@ghoulchan7525 omg thank u so much!!

[@RR-ho3td]

Reminds me of Air Gear tbh

[@DigitalBe4r]

"... were about 2 feet long, or 60 cm for the smartasses." Well when you will realize the superiority of the metric system in both simplicity, clarity and utility, feel free to join the smartasses 😎

[@jjsolstice7283]

Japan uses metric too. He should adopt. 😀

[@DigitalBe4r]

@@jjsolstice7283, everyone except usa, Liberia and Myanmar use metric system, so yeah, he should, and one day he will ^^

[@Linfamy]

Haha I fully admit the metric system is superior, but living in America I am obligated to make fun of it.

[@DigitalBe4r]

@@Linfamy, or you can make double fun of the imperial system to help getting rid of this obsolete absurdity you got directly from the british, I thought independence was important for you after all ;P

[@Linfamy]

@@DigitalBe4r hmm good argument 🤔

[@Simon_Electric]

One of my favourite videos. I love learning about hand made weapons.

[@Andernol]

"what does 'katana' mean?" "It means Japanese sword" -Samurai Cop-

[@vedantganesh6923]

Katana is 刀, which literally means "knife" or "sword". It's the most generic term ever

[@lilbottle9709]

Samurai Cop hahahah clasic shity movie

[@mrkiky]

fLuEnT iN jApAnESe

[@mrkiky]

@@vedantganesh6923 it's not the most generic term though, it doesn't refer to straight and double edged swords.

[@markusmottus1686]

So glad you also covered the Nagamaki, I have found that it is seldom mentioned and far between mentions. Could you perhaps cover it in a more detailed video? Would really be appreciated, also great video, thanks!😄

[@佐藤らんらん]

江戸時代、携帯できるブレードの長さが規定されて、多くの長巻太刀が打刀に改造されました。 太刀は戦争用だから。平和な時代に不適当であると江戸幕府の判断でしようね。 アメリカで、カービンライフルを携帯して、ニューヨークの街中をうろつけないのと同じでしょうか。 そう考えると、打刀は拳銃的な立ち位置かもしれません。

[@佐藤らんらん]

余談ですが、短くされた、改造長巻太刀は評判は丈夫に作られているせいで、大変評判が良かったそうです。 鈍無し 戦国時代は、織田信長の護衛に使われるほど有名だったのですが、江戸時代は忘れられて薙刀と混同されるほどだったそうです。

[@佐藤らんらん]

ちなみに、私も子供の頃読んだ忍者漫画🥷のカムイ外伝で初めて存在を知りました。 近接戦闘では、打刀や太刀を凌ぐとかいてありました。 ただし、描写は間違っていました。

[@佐藤らんらん]

昔　どうたぬきををネットで調べていた時に、偶然にネットで実物の写真を見た時、こんな形状をしていたんだ！ と感動した事を覚えています。 携帯は禁じられたけど、有用性があるので、大切に保管されていたのでしようね。 話しは変わりますが、どうたぬきは、戦国時代に装飾性を廃し実用性に特化した太刀で、 美術品としては、落第ですが、独特の凄みがあって、私は好きです。 明治時代、天皇陛下の御前での 兜割で有名な刀です。 この話を聞くと、刀の使用者の熟練度によって、大きく結果が違うと言うのか、僕の感想です。

[@theweditor3612]

“just kidding she doesn’t exist” I feel you

[@amys.3529]

With all of this talk of swords I wonder if a weapon built like the Naginata of Kenkon from Inyuasha could have existed or is it just an algimation of fiction? Forgive me Linfamy. I have forsaken my studies of weapontry outside of watching reruns of Forged in Fire. Paints in expressive caligraphy: "I love this video." I also enjoy your random humor too. Your commentary on accessories for itachi had me rolling with laughter. They should come in rose gold even if it was special order only. 🤣 Many thanks. Keep up the great work. :)

[@Linfamy]

Hmm... like a double sided glaive type weapon? Nah, that's fiction, though it looks cool =) The advantage of the naginata was its reach. With a double sided naginata, you'd lose that advantage and you're left with the reach of a regular sword, which as we've established is less useful. I'd say a regular sword is a better weapon as it's lighter and not as unwieldy. Blades are heavy. A wooden stick plus 2 long blades would be so heavy that it'd be pretty much useless. There's my theorycrafting =P

[@rktchan5204]

Linfamy: *Talks about Different swords* Me: *Katana, everything is Katana*

[@_silent_memory_2252]

I do love these types of videos.

[@Big_E_Soul_Fragment]

Have you seen those warriors from -Hammerfell- Nihon? They have curved swords! *CURVED. SWORDS.*

[@Linfamy]

Gasp :O

[@marmarthefirst]

That’s for damn sure..

[@tylerfifield1328]

Oh🥺 DID SOMEONE STEAL YOUR SWEAT ROLL

[@DrJamesAshfield]

@@tylerfifield1328 you mean sweet I hope :D

[@tylerfifield1328]

@@DrJamesAshfield Three years later and i completely forgot i made this comment. Yes i did mean sweet.

[@Guyverman01]

Watching videos like this really makes me appreciate the katana more by learning of how it came into being.

[@erichusayn]

Good video. Knew all the info already, but still cool to hear it presented. Thanks for taking the time to make it!

[@shirleyniedzwiecki1104]

I love this video and your snarky humor.

[@hanikazuha]

Finally, a video I need after watching touken ranbu

[@evans.7501]

Came here before the Fujiwara comments came. Just kidding *“The Fujiwara clan married their daughters into the imperial family.”*

[@Linfamy]

Whoa really?

[@albertasare2728]

Yea really?

[@evans.7501]

Linfamy yes

[@selensoycan8378]

**...Allowing them to controll over Heian Court.**

[@evans.7501]

Sel.セレン. Yes

[@murder7415]

I, high sparrow of westoros, hereby crown linfamy of the house of nihon, the king of the iron throne. Edit : loved the odachi innuendo

[@Linfamy]

This is an honor. I'd like to thank all the little people that I've killed along the way.

[@NARUTODSSG]

@@Linfamy you will face drawf revolution now

[@Linfamy]

@@NARUTODSSG ✊👊

[@myrojyn]

Long may he reign

[@ryeryeryerye]

Linfamy WOAH........that escalated real quick over there

[@legendary_kuki]

4:42 i love this video

[@Linfamy]

[@blueeyesgreekdragon]

I have been getting into swords and have been trying to save up for a bokken to train my stance and swings. I am lucky to find this youtuber. I love his videos. ❤️

[@Linfamy]

Nice! Hope you get a bokken soon

[@sarahhenry5508]

I love this video! Always had a fascination with Japanese blades, even got a few at home. Yet another reason my family suspects I was Japanese in a past life LOL. Also I love all your other videos! You’ve helped me increase my library of books on all things Japan.

[@Linfamy]

Yes! Consider me a shady street corner book pusher.

[@xeroheklaz3882]

I feel attacked by the mere mention of "procrastination" xD

[@Linfamy]

I feel you brother 😂

[@jaredlebin4583]

Teppo: "I'm about to end these swords' whole career."

[@andrewrenegar6764]

I love watching videos like this at 2:00 am

[@Linfamy]

I love reading comments like this at 2:00 am.

[@sukhoi-30airsuperiority93]

Awesome knowledge man. Loved the content.

[@Linfamy]

❤

[@vaderthelegit628]

Thank you so much for this video once again! You replied to my comments twice in a row in your last two videos and thanks for that! It was really meaningful to me. I can understand that you care about your audience. I never get bored of watching you, this video is so informative like your other videos. Keep up this work!

[@Linfamy]

Well thanks for commenting! If people took the time to comment, I figure I should spend some time replying as best I can =)

[@vaderthelegit628]

@@Linfamy well, thank you for the care! It really means alot! I can see you spend time reading comments(:

[@nippon2003]

When the blade is curved, the surface area which is hitting the target will be much smaller. Less surface area means more pressure (P=F/A) I love this video

[@jamesfrankiewicz5768]

Japanese blades aren't curved quite enough for this to make a big difference this way, but they do tend to have better edge geometry than western blades, which is what really makes them so great at cutting (the curve also makes edge alignment a little easier). Japanese blades tend to have a continuous, convex edge all the way to the halfwidth line on the blade, whereas western blades tend to have a secondary bevel a millimeter or two from the edge itself. If you get a katana with a secondary bevel, it's either not an authentically crafted blade, or it has been resharpened in a non-traditional manner at some point. That being said, a sword with a secondary bevel is a lot easier to resharpen, so it's a trade off.

[@alperenerol1852]

Not necessarily, you need to apply more force to exert same amount of pressure.

[@mrkiky]

@@jamesfrankiewicz5768 But if you had to do any field sharpening to your katana, you'd end up with a secondary bevel anyway since you wouldn't have the equipment or the time to remove the entire surface and keep a single bevel. So while it wouldn't come like that from the "factory", it's no unheard of for a katana to have a secondary bevel.

[@ringlhach]

I now have the image in my head of a horse shoving a samurai out of a window. Thank you, it made me smile.

[@Linfamy]

Anytime 😂

[@Youmu_Konpaku_]

Thank you so much for teaching me more about swords, my character Youmu Konpaku is a samurai swordswoman so i enjoyed learning through different sword techniques and uses for each of them

[@1Scimetar]

From what I understand of European sword design, they also have a second handle forward of the guard. In the case described in this video, the second handle is the simple leather wrap around the base of an odachi's blade. This is called a riccasso, and an excellent example of such a devise can be seen on the steel greatsword from the Elder Scrolls V Skyrim. Real life examples mostly come from the German zweihänder.

[@seemslegit6203]

Sort of. In western swords, those were specifically designed with a secondary grip area in front of the guard. For the Odachi it was a makeshift feature.

[@Scodiddly]

@@seemslegit6203 there’s usually a bit of delay between the actual users and the product developer. Especially during war years.

[@suddenlycrows]

"History for procrastinators" Thanks for calling me out. I was listening to this while procrastinating on work.

[@Linfamy]

;)

[@shellknight1323]

"You dont Truely love your Homie until you give them a sword." *Now all my Boys got swords, even my girl.* #SwordGang

[@kevinstachovak8842]

Bought my bestie a Dane Axe. Does that count?

[@peequod1647]

That proud laugh after the tachi pun got me

[@eXimiusMax]

I love this video. No seriously, I actually really do! Very informative!

[@Linfamy]

❤

[@gabe2892]

This explains everything

[@mFujiyama]

Touken Ranbu？　　　🤔never mind. I love this video📺

[@Linfamy]

>:D

[@LotusHearted]

AY TOURAN GANG Who're your favorites?

[@KintaMinami]

Hewwo fellow Saniwa. :D :D :D

[@melissaa.4189]

Hell yeah

[@idolevin8795]

I thought the title said "swear words", though I am disappointed, it's fine because it's swords.

[@Linfamy]

Haha! Next video: Japanese swear words 🤔

[@takispowder]

TOUKEN RANBU FANS: 👀👀👀👀

[@johnnypowers2489]

sorry, im not a weeb... "i love this video" there, am i done?

[@WildBillCox13]

Shaku as in "Shakuhachi". Yes, I remember.

[@waltersorensen7457]

"Love this video". I will be looking forward to watching more in future.

[@raisou9750]

Now I'm motivated! I love this video.

[@Linfamy]

❤

[@FerLopz05]

the subtitles when the guy is singing just say ** lmaoo

[@khorkienjoo5292]

7:05 It seems a shaku is literally a foot, as in the unit of length.

[@noticemesenpai69]

You see those warriors from Japan? They have curved swords. CURVED SWORDS!

[@1Vergil]

A small greatsword seems like a very roundabout way of saying normal sized sword. I love Japan for silliness such as this. Also, 9:18 which Sekiro/Nioh boss uses that sword?

[@darthzayexeet3653]

Tl;dr modern usage Blade length: under 30cm = Tantō 30-60cm = Wakizashi 60-90cm = Katana over 90cm = Ōdachi/Nōdachi

[@dhiakarimah5044]

This is my presentation theme in 3rd semester, i have interest in japanese sword because playing touken ranbu aka handsome swords hell

[@WyrmstoothChenarchgo]

Hai video for procrastinator... Me: 👁️👄👁️ He knows to much!

[@yourboicris3109]

Thank you (: Edit: I love this video

[@Linfamy]

❤

[@daniel-zh9nj6yn6y]

So Sanosuke Sagara (from Rurouni Kenshin) was overcompensating. I'm not surprised.

[@WildBillCox13]

In my "Conversations with a Dragon" examination of Zen, the hero, Fujiwara Kanetsugu, holds an heirloom sword named "Amida's Eye", because it has the power to look inside things. ;-) In another of my novels, the hero's sword is named "Secrets Revealed", which is proof that old guys repeat themselves. ;-)

[@WildBillCox13]

But the real star of Conversations With a Dragon is an unshorn, Akuso, Shingon sohei nicknamed "Yohoka" (Beekeeper), because of his amazing skill with daikyu.

[@j.d.4697]

When they accidentally made it easier to draw and cut with: "All planned!"

[@I_DontKnowWhatToPutHere]

I love this video, genuinely

[@J.I.64]

According to weebs all of these are katanas

[@gabeverk]

Funnily enough I learned about the wakizashi and tanto from morrowind lol

[@loureece9005]

"One guy may have a long sword but size is not as important as he thinks, and if he's not careful, he may soon find his life fluids prematurely spilling from his body." That can mean something else.

[@cannerbernerd1836]

When he started singing, the captions say (cat screeching)

[@Linfamy]

🐱

[@dannyledrums4116]

I wanna buy a katana currently I’m just saving up my money currently to get one

[@meetaverma8372]

Last time I was this early, covid-19 was only found in wuhan

[@Linfamy]

😂

[@JasonHendrix-d8g]

I ACTUALLY REALLY DO LOVE THIS VIDEO!!!!

[@Linfamy]

❤️

[@thedoruk6324]

Linfamy : All Sword variations Me : *Real Sh"t!* :)

[@24rainred]

I like how his shirt say "I will cut you"

[@kanzabiyualkautsar7409]

Hi

[@Linfamy]

Hi there

[@murder7415]

@@Linfamy general kenobi

[@samueldaigle3987]

Love your channel

[@Linfamy]

Love your comment

[@trash5673]

I was tired of everyone calling every Japanese sword a katana

[@johnapple6646]

B I G K N I F E

[@FungiKing]

yes

[@jeancoffee2479]

Such an awesome video

[@Linfamy]

Such an awesome comment

[@guillermoh.k.2967]

Missing: Kozuka (handle/sheath mini knife) Shikomizue: Cane sword Katana/Wakizashi pair is also known as Daito and Shoto And the double edged curved sword is rather popular, example the Kogarasumaru (little crow).

[@kavivarman]

I really loved your video I subbed ✊🏻

[@Linfamy]

❤

[@ghstsamurai-4172]

to clarify, the one picture of the man bowing to the nodachi was a little inaccurate size wise, yes that is a nodachi but it is not one used for battle it was a ceremonial specific blade. the blades are still huge weapons but please look into videos of people using them, it gives a better sense of the weapon.

[@fixxundfertig]

I love this video. I had no idea.

[@loulavillena9896]

thank you for the knowledge

[@Linfamy]

Glad you like :)

[@frostzy6754]

POV:you are imagining sry for bad spell however you are imagining yourself like one samurai :D

[@nicholascauton9648]

8:27 "You know what they say: When the sword is long, you know something's wrong." I chuckled a little too much at that.

[@EduardoAndreePS]

Amazing video, thank you!

[@titodbr6151]

I love this video!

[@nicholaskillmeier4895]

I'm not sure the description about why the swords have a curve makes sense. I'm a smith myself, and I understand the process. But I wouldn't imagine it was just a happy accident that stuck. The smiths of the time would have been skilled enough to adjust their blade to take a straight shape if they wanted to. So I'd guess there's more likely a practical reason for the majority of those blades having a curve.

[@mauigirlmh808]

Came across your video, glad I did. Subscribed! 👍🏼

[@Kikuri_Dood]

I love this video much!

[@Linfamy]

❤

[@dr4gon166]

Watching you cringe at yourself was just the highlight of my day! priceless humor. Good show!

[@Linfamy]

Embarrassing myself for your entertainment 😂

[@scottbrower9052]

Great video!

[@Jakub_27]

I love this video like i seriously do

[@MelonSinister]

I love this vid for real

[@Linfamy]

[@JaydenColon620]

AGAIN! I love this video

[@Linfamy]

😈

[@Wylyth-nr3hq]

There was also the Shinobigatana (though it was likely not known as that to the general public, for obvious reasons), which was more or less a Wakizashi but with a Katana sized hilt and Katana sized scabbard that had a secret compartment for storing stuff. The point of this was to make it look like a Katana when sheathed, allowing for misdirection in quick draw attacks. The straight bladed variant made popular by pop culture, known as the "Ninjato", likely never existed, and if it did, would have never been called the "Ninjato" nor would it have been exclusively used by Ninja.