Samurai with a Longsword? - A Kenjutsu Master's Perspective

[@Skallagrim]

I see some people are taking wild guesses about who I was "jabbing at" with the remark about knight fanboys at 04:10. Don't be such drama seekers... I didn't have any specific person in mind, just some general comments I've seen over the years, talking trash about non-Euro weapons, warriors, fighting styles, etc. It's unfortunately not an uncommon attitude in the sword community. That face is just the Neckbeard Wojack meme. So if anyone happens to feel called out by that, all I can say is: If the shoe fits...

[@Ailurophile900]

😂 my bad 😆 that was totally me. I meant it in a funny way as I see shad likes throwing stuff too 😅 like the nunchuck videos. I love the jabs tho and I miss the days where you could just spar with people on the Internet. Oh the world was a happier place when chaos reigned free and we could just all blast each other. Thanks for pointing that out tho. I will take this one 😂 have a great one and keep up the great work. I have been taking notes on techniques you have given since I practice polish fencing and kenjutsu. Very educational since I deal with California gangs on the streets 😆 and knife attacks along with guns are always around me. (Green lighted 5 times, not a gangster or law enforcement 😆 just taking out the trash 😆 I will be keeping up with you if you'll have me 😂 yoroshiku onegai shimasu 😆

[@Ezol1]

It would be so cool if you could do a collab with Seki Sensei! Either go to Japan or invite him to your home to try different swords from your collection 👏🏻 😃

[@AlphonsoFrett-xz6pi]

Thanks for sharing

[@lewd2851]

@@Ailurophile900 Bro really said with a straight face 'the world was happier when everyone kept slinging shit at each other like monkeys'

[@scottmacgregor3444]

I think people are just so desperate for internet drama, they'll try to create it at the slightest opportunity. "Hmm, soyboy wojack on a Templar body. How can I- wait! Shad has a beard and glasses! It's on!"

[@freddogrosso9835]

Seki Sensei went from "Idk what to do with this" to waterdancing in like 5 seconds. I love his humbleness.

[@TrainingMacro]

He sure went to the master hews pretty quickly.

[@WT.....]

Even after seeing some of his other videos like how he was given a sakaboto (reverse blade katana), or given a cane sword to play around with for the first time, his reaction and joy from trying to figure out ways to fight with it never gets old.

[@edwardcullen1739]

This, to me, is the true mark of the master - to treat with curiosity and to try to understand. The fact that he instinctively discovered many of the basic techniques of using the longsword also says a lot too!

[@azraelf.6287]

​@edwardcullen1739 the swordsman is the weapon, the sword is just the extension. Pointy end and the sharp bits go into the other guy while trying to keep their pointy end out of you. The rules are the same, no matter the sword. Everything else is just style.

[@TrainingMacro]

@@azraelf.6287Ackshually, there's a big difference between how you wield a katana and a smallsword: one does slashing and the other does stabbing but not vice versa. The fact he picks up on these kinds of differences and how it benefits/drawbacks work in the amount of time he's had shows he has great respect for the tool if nothing else.

[@TheStowAway594]

The idea of having different weapons experts trying unfamiliar weapons is awesome. Someone could make a whole series on this and I'd watch it.

[@VegetaLF7]

It's a different take on this but it reminds me of this video I watched a while back where Star Wars and Star Trek came together. Ray Park, the martial artist who played Darth Maul in Star Wars, was at a convention and next to Garret Wang, who played Harry Kim in Star Trek Voyager. A Trek fan showed up in full Klingon cosplay including carrying the Klingon bat'leth. Ray, being a martial artist himself and familiar with staff fighting since he incorporated much of his skills into how the double bladed lightsaber is handled, naturally took an interest in the bat'leth. With the fan's permission, Garret showed it to Ray and was telling him about how the weapon was used in universe. Ray then took the weapon and began to spin it a bit, getting a feel for how it handled and what could be done with it before giving a quick impromptu demonstration of how it could be a useful weapon given his own skillset.

[@3nertia]

@@VegetaLF7 Dude, is there footage of that? I would LOVE to see that!

[@3nertia]

Nevermind - I found it!

[@amaizen4817]

@@3nertia pls tell me where edit: nvm i found it and its awesome

[@Lorendrawn]

Archers try rifles

[@LordNodim]

"please teach me about why" this is the right approach to when you don't understand something about a subject you are unfamiliar with. I like Seki Sensei already

[@seedy80]

Like "why the heck am I using my sword, and what happened to my spear?"

[@cobra29935]

​@@seedy80it was broken in half by the calvary charge that you somehow survived.

[@PeachDragon_]

​@@cobra29935that doesn't happen to muskets 🗿

[@zes7215]

no such thing as right approachx or understanx or unfamilix or familix or teachx or etc, ceuxuax, do, be, outx, can do, be, outx etc any nmw and any s perfx

[@browut644]

​@zes7215 were you drunking writing this?

[@peteg22397]

This video right here is what high-qualiity, ethical reaction content looks like. Transformative with good commentary and insight, a proper 'shoutout' to the original creator with the video's title, uploader and description visible on screen as well as in the description, and with a scope that's limited to ensure viewers have to watch the original video to see it in its entirety. Just wanted to say thanks for setting a shining example

[@SkippytWalrus]

Is it really that significant? I kinda wanted to hear more, this would be my first video I've ever seen of his though.

[@eezergoode8588]

Yeah that's what I was thinking. Classy to send you to the full content without just showing everything. The difference between a genuine content creator and scavenger on the internet.

[@Silversong_Reavers]

It really is, because it makes his content also support the original poster. It sets an incentive to go to the original video and watch it yourself, in which case both content creators profit and get recognition for this, it's actually very beautiful, and a rare sight these days. ​@@SkippytWalrus

[@DrakoWulf]

@@SkippytWalrus It is somewhat significant. With a lot of "reaction content creators", their methods of making content are selfish in several ways. They show the entirety of what they're watching to the viewer, which takes away any reason for the viewer to watch the original video. Their commentary is usually entirely reactive, rather than constructive or inquisitive, which adds little to no depth to the video. When a reaction content creator has nothing constructive or inquisitive to add, they often have to substitute it with exaggerated reactions or an overall fake personality, which simply comes off as disingenuous. Via several factors, it ends up trivializing both the video being reacted to, and content creation in general. I'm glad Skal is nothing like that. You can tell how much he cares about and respects other people, and that he makes content for us, not for himself.

[@kingleech16]

@@DrakoWulf And it can be even worse than that, we’ve got those wonderful folks who can’t even be bothered to react, they just sit and occasionally grunt, refuse to give any hint of where they got it from, and in at least one rather infamous case frequently leave!

[@casanovafiems1508]

I love how Seki Sensei handling the longsword has sparked something on KZbin.

[@leonpeters-malone3054]

He's joyously happily, interested and doing things? What's not to love? The airfare over there to show him armoured fencing?

[@Scudboy17]

Seki Sensei is a living legend at this point. I love all of the interactions and discussions this has caused. Fans of swords and medieval weaponry should unite over our love of weapons, not fight over which sword is best.

[@birdwatcherlubuski]

Haha, when I watched Seki's video, it didn't even cross my mind that the Pommel-master himself would address it :D Yet here we are.

[@DaPickle76]

Ikr

[@trappenweisseguy27]

The way he effortlessly parries away the opponents blade , whichever sword he’s using, is hugely impressive.

[@lordofuzkulak8308]

1:03 - Having watched the original video earlier, what I’ll say before watching yours is I thought it was delightful seeing him reacting with pure joy at getting to handle and play around with the longsword; he could easily have been very dismissive of it as it wouldn’t work with the style of fighting he’s used to, but you could tell he was genuinely having fun trying to adapt his extensive experience to an unfamiliar weapon and figuring out how to use it on its own merits.

[@chrono-eventless6956]

it's really unsurprising if you know more about him seeing as he using so many kinds of weapons just to list the ones i know of him using in videos just about every size of katana (which isn't surprising) staffs kamas (just in case you didn't know that's a japanese sickle) unarmed combat a reverse bladed katana a sword cane and now the long sword but yeah it is just great to see someone so happy to see the different types of things you can do with even slightly different weapons

[@asherroodcreel640]

​@@chrono-eventless6956dosen't he have verious staves and yuris?

[@Gakulon]

@@asherroodcreel640 Probably more yari than yuri, though I'd totally have a lot of yuri if I were a master swordswoman

[@ΣτελιοςΠεππας]

​@@GakulonOnly men of culture will appreciate your comment.

[@Tunturisorsa]

seki sensei is like this if you watch his content. he shines like a kid in a candy store when he explains and demonstrates techniques

[@crackedjabber]

I love Seki Sensei's pure enthusiasm and joy at handling a new style of sword. Just cheerfully talking about how he likes the features as he continues to school his students with a sword he's never used before. His video is now where I will refer any of my girl friends who ask why guy's like sticks. Here's a master swords man, and look at his delight with the new cool stick he found.

[@kronoscamron7412]

He is an amazing man, Thank you Shogo for introducing us to this legend.

[@fernandotrevinocastro1018]

This is what happens when you give someone who really likes weapons, a new weapon.

[@Silversong_Reavers]

That's an amazing way to put it lol

[@twistsnakeanklesvids261]

I love your description, it took me right back to being a kid and being so elated whenever I found a perfect stick on the ground for whacking the heads off dandelions and pretending to be a ninja. (Bonus superninja points if the dandelion head fell straight down instead of flying off, or no fluff came off the clock.)

[@mitchellradspinner4491]

It’s a small thing but I love this small amount of awkwardness you can see he has in holding the Longsword. You can see the same thing when HEMA people are holding katana. It’s not a complete uncertainty of how to wield the weapon but the different ergonomics take away to some degree the ease of grip you see them have with their familiar weapon.

[@threadfall100]

Yeah it's always cool to see the first stages of people "swapping notes." There's a fun pair of videos on youtube where kendoka and fencers tried each others sports. They tripped over the little differences initially, then rapidly improved as the overlapping skills and new ways of doing things clicked, but still retained some signature elements of the style they were used to.

[@Uryendel]

The difference is HEMA people think "it feel awkward, i can't do my usual techniques with it, therefore it's shit"

[@thombly5772]

@@Uryendel inflexible mentalities do that. Skal has a hema background. Thinking with our emotions are we

[@inwit594]

@@thombly5772 The statement isn't entirely false though. A lot of people in HEMA (but definitely not exclusively HEMA, plenty of people think similarly about certain asian weapons and their disciplines...) hold this position. A lot of people don't either. It doesn't detract from the fact that plenty of people still do.

[@allthenamesiwantedweretaken]

Honestly really hope that Seki Sensei sees this, his (and my) questions were all answered in such a respectful and excellent way. He seemed like he was genuinely interested in learning about the techniques of western swordfighting.

[@A1phaz0ne]

I imagine people of his level have very little left to learn about their own sword fighting. Thus improving becomes harder. He already knows so much, so all there is left to do is merely perfect. Which once he does, what else is there to do? I can see why he would want to learn about the western swordfighting. It is something different, something he is less knowledgeable in. So he may starting learning more and getting to improve again. But also important to note, is that learning different styles can help you think in ways that you previously did not. I mean just in this video itself, Skall was surprised to see Seki perform a sliding thrust with the longsword. While it isn't exactly the best move to pull, it is a valid option that comes with pros. Probably one of the highest being the unpredictability of it, as hardly anyone (If anyone) realistically ever does such a thing. But after seeing Seki doing it, its a reminder that it is an option. One with pros and of course cons, but an option nonetheless. Experiencing new styles can enable you to think of new things for your former style that you hadn't thought of before. I wish these things were more commonly practiced, because it really is interesting to see how people learn and develop themselves with their weapons. I would watch stuff like this way sooner and more often than I ever would American Football or Hockey lol

[@ShiningDarknes]

Seki Sensei is such a wholesome swordmaster and the speed at which he figured out how to use a weapon he (presumably) never wielded before shows why he is a master swordsman.

[@Thulgore]

I love his enthusiasm. I've watched quite a few of the videos before Matt and Skall did. He's also extremely precise in all of the variations of things he shows.

[@TheAyanamiRei]

TBF, Skald said there's MORE Similarites than there are Differences. A Katana to Long Sword will be FAR more Easily Adapted, than Katana to Modern Fencing Foil. Katanas & Longswords are 2H & 1H Weapons, BOTH Primarily 2H. BOTH are used for Slashing AND Piercing. Heck even a Rapier, being a 1H ONLY Weapon, would be noticeably harder for him to use Techniques for I imagine. Not unlike how a Bo Staff & Halberd would have more similarities than differences, even though they are rather different weapons.

[@ShiningDarknes]

I disagree with that sentiment.@@TheAyanamiRei

[@TheAyanamiRei]

@@ShiningDarknes In what way? You can use a lot off the same moves for a Bo with a Halberd and Vice Versa. They both use a long wooded stick. You can lunge in the same way with both weapons. Or do you mean that a Katana User would find a 1H & Stabbing ONLY Weapon somehow HARDER than a 1H & 2H Slicing & Stabbing Weapon like a Longsword which better matches how you use a Katana? An I would like to hear why I am wrong exactly. Curious, because I know you can use a lot of the same moves for both. Obviously, there's going to be some differences in weight and other stuff....yet Katana & Longsword seem similar in that regard. Though obviously a Bo staff doesn't have a blade, there's still a lot of moves that you could adjust for both. FAR easier and similar than say....Halberd & Long Sword or Rapier.

[@derbarbarsemml5055]

He guessed some moves yes, but stay on the ground, a guy who knows how to use a longsword looks different than this Sensei.

[@ClaytonBrownMusicOfficial]

People seem to overlook the fact that some Japanese sword arts hardly ever block strikes with the blade when some European styles do so like it’s going out of style. I think that’s the missing bit of info to get a complete picture on Seki-Sensei’s want for a perpendicular hand guard: He wants to block with the flat.

[@Ciiran]

Sorry, bit of a noob question here, but do you mean the edge rather than the blade?

[@Ghorda9]

@@Ciiran no, the flat, katana's have a hard edge that can chip so they block with the flat instead.

[@Ciiran]

@@Ghorda9 Yes, that is my understanding as well. I was just wondering about the use of the word "blade" rather than "edge."

[@Ghorda9]

@@Ciiran i think of "blade" as being anything with an edge, so that would be everything down from the guard.

[@jestfullgremblim8002]

​@@Ghorda9 Yes, which means they used the word "blade" wrong

[@magpie1466]

These moments of joyous and curiosity driven cultural interaction are what justifies the hellscape of the internet to me! I saw the original video and was excited to see this!

[@Skallagrim]

Well said (including the "hellscape of the internet" part). :)

[@NuclearFalcon146]

I know a Kriegmesser is not a "European Katana" but as someone from an Iaijutsu background if I were to train with a European weapon then it would probably be the easiest European weapon for an iaijutsu practitioner to start with. Would be interesting if Seki-Sensei ever makes a follow up video where he takes a look at a Kriegmesser.

[@Jamhael1]

SECOND!

[@sebastianbronowicki7073]

Personally, I'd rather see him try the schiavona. If he liked the cross guard of a longsword, then the intricate basket guard of a schiavona might just blow his mind, especially as it protects one of the main target areas in japanese swordfighting, that being the hand

[@Epsilonsama]

Seki-sensei video shows that is the fighter that makes the weapon. He is an experienced martial artist with multiple black belts in different weapon disciplines and multiple national championships and is the 22nd Headmaster of a sword style. Yet he comes off as very humble and willing to learn new things.

[@SarenSoran]

while the humble thing is pretty neat of him, i would argue you have to be open minded to a degree if you want to master multiple martial disciplines like he apparently did

[@PROPAROXITONO]

@@SarenSoran exactly. humbleness it's a must if someone wants to learn new things and/or be the best they can. it's a virtue that's allows you to go further.

[@Michael-bn1oi]

​@@SarenSoran oh absolutely. You can't learn if you "already know everything"

[@tonuahmed4227]

He is the shonen protagonist...

[@egehannalbant5572]

The technique at 12:40 is kiriotoshi, one of the most important techniques in Kendo and Itto-Ryu Kenjutsu in which you respond to a cut with another cut that both displaces the opponent’s attack and cuts the opponent. The Kenjutsu master wanted to have the guard on the sides to be able to do that technique without turning the word, directly hitting with the edge. As it isn’t possible with a crossguard, he had to turn the sword hitting with the flat.

[@kaimagnus5760]

The pure joy in his face from being able to use an exotic (to him) weapon is so wholesome. I love how he went from confused to kid in a candy store in just a few swings.

[@PalleRasmussen]

The humble, curious and joyful approach of this Master is such a pleasure to see. His approach shows that he is a master indeed. Matt Easton was definitely as happy as the rest of us to see this.

[@KolmManison]

I hope Shogo shows this to master Seki, it'd be interesting to see an openminded kenjutsu practitioner like him learn more about HEMA. I wanna hear his thoughts and opinions on it.

[@DisorderedArray]

There's a video of them watching a HEMA guy, and a traditional Japanese style guy sparring, and he's very complementary about the hema guy. He also makes some really insightful observations, and picks up on the relative lack of low attacks in hema. It's a very interesting video, and the comments section is full of fascinating info.

[@KolmManison]

@@DisorderedArray think I know what video you're talking about, I've yet to watch it tho.

[@md_vandenberg]

@@KolmManison It's a video from Metatron.

[@TheLithp]

That part with the explosion is going to be incomprehensible unless Shogo explains the meme.

[@undertakernumberone1]

@@DisorderedArray it was one of Metatron's videos

[@96Logan]

This is some good content. Your reaction was respectful to the original video and the Sensei's reaction to a longsword being "thrust" in his face was also respectful. Win-win 😂

[@shinomori69]

Watched the original video, now Matt and Skall have reacted to it and I am a happy sword nerd.

[@mmancino1982]

It takes a lot of maturity and confidence to explore something foreign to your own mastery through an objective lens. Had a martial arts teacher that said the sign of a true student is an openness to critique from another, the ability to critique yourself and an open mind to other arts, and that all masters are perpetual students.

[@MichaelMcDowell-jk1cj]

Love the civility, knowledge, practical reasoning, and respect in this discourse

[@jamesfrankiewicz5768]

There is one fairly common technique in several kenjutsu styles (most notably, Ono-ha Ittō-ryū, but in several others, as well) is called "kiri-otoshi" meaning "cutting drop" or "cutting down". It is most typically a vertical-line cut that cuts into an opponents cut, displacing the opponent's blade and often sniping the lead wrist or forearm. The kiri-otoshi tends to glide along the flat of the opponents blade, so having side protection of the hand can make a big difference of whether the person on the receiving end of kiri-otoshi can get his hand of the way in time to avoid being cut. Now that I think about it, the nagel on a typical right-handed messer wouldn't help against this technique as it would glide down the opposite side of the blade from the nagel. There's other techniques that glide along the flat, where side-protection is useful, maki-otoshi (wrapping/winding drop) also being notable. It is probably these sorts of techniques that probably make Seki Sensei interested in side protection. It is also notable that techniques of this type work better while using a stiff blade against a stiff blade.

[@jackalzirson2631]

Glad someone mentioned it. Skal is alright but its weird he doesnt see the obvious answer for these sort of things

[@Lo-tf6qt]

2:53 I think the reason why Shogo said that the katana and the longsword are completely different comes from the finer details in how both swords handle (for context I am also a kenjutsu practitioner that joined a HEMA club last month so I can relate/understand to a lot of things that Seki sensei mentions in this vid) Fundamentally the longsword and katana handle almost the same when you cut tatami mats with them but when you start sparring with them they do feel very different. Yes, you can use katana techniques w/longsword and vice versa but there's so many little details that you have to adjust for (like when the crossguard got stuck in Seki Sensei's clothing). The shorter/stouter structure of a katana allows you to do techniques that you can't with a longsword (and vice versa). The biggest adjustment I had to realise (which Seki Sensei also mentions in the video) is that the shinogi of a longsword (not really sure how to translate shinogi but it's sort of the equivalent of leverage/centre of mass) is way farther down than a katana which makes a fair number of binds/winds/disengages that you could normally with a katana would not work as well with a longsword since it's way easier to displace or parry a longsword due to it's structure. ^ this is the biggest issue I ran into when I started sparring with a longsword because I would try and enter a katana style bind or throw a katana style cut but get easily parried. After about a week or 2 I managed to get used to how a longsword handled and did much better in sparring). In short: yeah they handle more or less the same but bridging the gap between the differences will take a while to get used to, I do think that a longsword user will have an easier time getting used to using a katana but katana users might struggle more switching to a longsword since you don't usually see or spar with Japanese swords that are European longsword length/size.

[@jamesfrankiewicz5768]

"Shinogi" just means the ridge of the blade (the widest point of the blade). The practice longsword he was using had a diamond cross-section (or close to diamond), so it had a ridge. Seki Sensei would probably be curious to learn that not all longswords have a central ridge.

[@Lo-tf6qt]

@@jamesfrankiewicz5768 ah I see, thanks for clearing that up

[@mkadoza]

@@jamesfrankiewicz5768 Id love to see Seki Sensei use a one handed sabre

[@RealLifeIronMan]

​@@mkadozaSabers are much more similar to katanas. They are both single edged curved blades. Katanas (as well as dachis) are roughly Japanese sabers and longswords are roughly western tsurugis.

[@mkadoza]

@@RealLifeIronMan Which is why i said Id love to see Seki Sensei use a sabre. Different steel, blade width, weight center, and most sabres are entirely one handed. I would love to see how Seki Sensei deals with that new tool

[@Bahnking]

I like how similar yours and Matt Eastons comments on the "throw stab" were. Both noted the technique being more of a leg/hand snipe in European tradition

[@stimpacks]

Can we please stop a moment and appreciate a reaction video done right? With transformative quality and respect for the work of every creator involved.

[@itssalid]

I sometimes like to think that if a knight would meet a samurai, they probably wouldn't start fighting to the death immediately. Maybe they'd try a spar, compare techniques/fighting styles and equipment. Kind of like how modern militaries do whenever they're not at war. We're naturally curious creatures.

[@djokealtena2538]

Oh I bet they would have a blast. Beer and Sake would flow, I am always reminded of the 13th warrior movie with these instances. "Give an arab a sword he turns it into a knife...." one slash and impressed viking later... "When you die can I give that to me daughter?"

[@xxxkueckxxx]

Why would anyone fight to the death automatically lol

[@hainleysimpson1507]

Extremists from different religion. Capitalist extremists, wanting in on a countries economics, and said country wanting their government to run their economy.​@@xxxkueckxxx

[@madmalkavian3857]

Knight: wait your armor is metal? How do you get it to look like this? Samurai: How do you fight with this shield thing?

[@Aaa-vp6ug]

@@hainleysimpson1507or just being really jealous of the other one’s supplies.

[@ZantariEXE]

I love seeing people give new things a genuine try, not to prove their way is best but to see something new and what they can learn from it.

[@KickyFut]

Fantastic reaction video! I'm glad you showed your own examples on the various techniques, and the why's and how's, etc. I also appreciate how you were speaking clearly, using minimal jargon... I think it will be easy to both interpret what you are saying, as well as showing good visuals of what you are talking about! I hope there will be a great East-West collaborative exchange of ideas!😊👍

[@Skallagrim]

Yeah, I generally prefer to use English translations of terms from the manuscripts (like "Zwerchau" or "Posta di Finestra"). People who don't practice HEMA (which is obviously the majority) would just be confused.

[@KickyFut]

@@Skallagrim Especially when it's going to be translated again!😅

[@1dcondave]

I saw this right after the original, and enjoyed them both immensely. Thanks for a reaction that was as humble and respectful as Seki Sensei's. I like how you compare the Messer to the katana while contrasting with the longsword.

[@SteveSmith-wk9dx]

Excellent original and reaction with respect for the different traditions going both ways. I'm most surprised that Seki Sensei didn't have any comments on the longsword having two edges, and how that changed the dynamic with the option of false-edge cuts (perhaps he did, but it didn't make it into the edit we saw).

[@gokbay3057]

It might be that using the false-edge just never came to his mind (at least at the time of making the video). Even the best of us can miss individual details sometimes.

[@uncabob214]

Lovely to see the enthusiasm for the subject shared by all. Also fascinating to see the differing responses between Matt and Skall, what they choose to focus on and how the talk about those points.

[@KoRNeRd]

Seki-sensei is not only kenjutsu master, but also iaido, kendo and other jutsus :D Check out some of his kendo and kenjutsu sparing. He has a predator's mind I would say.

[@The_Keeper]

Worse/better, he has a fighter's mind. Let me explain what I mean. The predator is singleminedly focused on killing their target, and then thats it. Food secured, go eat. The fighter is singleminedly focused on defeating their target, so they can go on to the next, and the next, and so on. Of the two, people tend to fear the predator, but should fear the fighter instead. A predator may take a life, a fighter may take a out whole village.

[@MaaveMaave]

Where are his sparring videos? I'd love to watch

[@KoRNeRd]

@@MaaveMaave there are a few in their original channel kzbin.info/www/bejne/aaesY5amlNafg8Usi=kWAkiJHxwjm7HEC8

[@Aaa-vp6ug]

@@MaaveMaaveHis Japanese channel has much more sparring.

[@TheWarmotor]

Love the Sensei, love the commentary, love the technical differences and similarities! Love all of this. I wish there were 100 more videos just like this.

[@KendoSwordsman]

Love it when the martial arts community comes together rather than getting into mud slinging matches online. Just love how this is all going down with the channels involved.

[@fabioeliasreisritter8827]

Love when people "react" to other creator's video without showing the full video. It's respectful to the original creator and shows that you're really critiquing instead of just watching. Props to you, sir. Hope more people would do the same

[@S4leaguer999]

I love it when different cultures share the same interests and crafts. It truly shows passion and respect, which is amazing! This is the positivity one needs these days :)

[@darthnihilusthebestsith]

I loved all 3 videos here: Seki sensei's video was really something new, but it was also very cool to see the way Matt and Skall gave pretty different replies to the points raised, not contradicting eachother, but adding in according to the experience of each

[@3xeplodng_3agle_studios]

Could be off the mark here but i get the impression a collab video between Skall and Shogo (he has his own channel and is the narrator of the video Skall is referencing) would be interesting. The well spoken chill energy, and humility between the two alone would at minimum be good chemistry for an episode or two of a podcast.

[@issei4561]

Not from this community but just wanted to say i appreciate the respect you have for the other creator in giving us some incentive to go to his channel.

[@Uncle_Tijikun]

As you said, I loved the humble attitude of Seki sensei and how much fun he was having figuring stuff out. I think we should all, as martual artist, strive to keep shoshin (the beginner's mind) alive like he showed in the video

[@samuraisoul151]

11:15 Actually, Seki sensei lets his sword's handle slide through his hand. What Skall missed was that Seki Sensei used his main hand to long thrust. What Skall probably did not know was that Seki Sensei uses multiple kinds of grips (which in this case, it is his loose grip) in fighting, so he would totally welcome your swing to his sword, so he would use your energy against you... it is the principle of his ryuha for a reason that he would let opponents think that they have easy way while the practitioners of his ryuha will have way easier way to defeat their opponents...

[@LynSain]

I know Skall would eventually give response video about this one. Seki-sensei is very humble and open about foreign weapon martial arts, and in that video where he still tries kenjutsu technique using a longsword simply proves that Japanese and European swordsmanship are fundamentally similar.

[@JackgarPrime]

It's interesting to see how Seki Sensei seems to almost invent a new style on the fly just casually handling the longsword. I imagine if he had some more extended practice with it, he would be able to come up with some pretty unique strategies. I imagine with a bit of practice to get used to the differences, he'd be a beast in HEMA!

[@PeachDragon_]

I love the concept of an eastern swordsman using a western sword or the other way around, i even stole it for my novel

[@Stlaind]

It was very interesting just how much you and Matt Easton overlapped. It's also interesting how there's a lot of "sword is sword" to this. There are definitely differences between the two styles of sword, and some of those are almost certainly from feedback loops between techniques and design. But at the end of the day, good ideas are good ideas.

[@Sahfiel13]

Good to see some cross promotion with Matt Easton, as he is one of the HEMA folk I have respect for. He approaches things very professionally so I consider him a good fit. Also, this is yet another very entertaining reaction video (loved the ironmouse stuff too) and is informative as well as fun. Thanks for the fantastic content through the years, Skall. You are a class act.

[@Mongaloose]

I'm completely fascinated by the idea of having a cross-guard rotated perpendicular to the cutting plane of the blade. It may be cumbersome, but there are plenty of cumbersome weapons that still have battlefield utility. I hope one of the forge channels will give that construction method a try. Then release some prototypes for people to experiment with.

[@positroll7870]

A sword is a sidearm. Change the angle by 90° and you can't really wear the bloody thing comfortably any longer.

[@dasnomaden]

You could, in theory, recalibrate the tang to have a small twist up by the base of the blade to allow it while still keeping the orientation of the grip and blade. Maybe change the pattern of the cross guard to something less kidney-poking, but at this stage it's not really a standard longsword, more a custom fantasy job. It wouldn't pair so well with how they are supposed to be used either. For arguments sake I'd like to see one made in such a way with a crescent moon crossguard and see how seki-sensei feels about that.

[@gokbay3057]

@@positroll7870 TBF, while admittedly not to the same extend as a full crossguard quillon there are many swords with side facing guards. With messers with side-nail (I think nail is the term?) protrusion, a lot of side rings, some complex broadsword, saber and rapier guards also cover a non-insignificant area towards the sides as well.

[@dantepalermo5404]

I think it's due to the prevalance of overhead cuts. Watch kendo practioners. They often blitz eachother and go for a downward cut to the head. If the guard is on the sides of the blade it means you could use such an attack, get to your oppenent first, and catch their overhead strike on the guard. Basically the same as how Skall demonstrated binding the blade and thrusting.

[@anub1s15]

for the most part i think this note came because a lot of his strikes seemed (to my newb observations) to be as he would with a katana in which case the cross guard gets pulled close to the body/head in a number of strikes, not that the 90 degree switch would greenlight all strikes but all the overhead ones would be more confortable as your less likely to pull your face off :P

[@avatarofaiyel]

Ha. I love how you're matching his politeness, it's nice to see respectful content on swordtube,.

[@elitemook4234]

12:04 I love the little smile the master gives when he says 'you can parry automatically'

[@R0GU351GN4L]

It's always really interesting to watch differing martial practices try on techniques from other martial practices. A lot can be learned from both. I thoroughly enjoyed watching them experiment with a sword that was outside of their norm and even come up with some valid techniques.

[@divineterabyte5181]

Im beyond excited for the future Seki-Sensei has helped walk us into. Hopefully, we'll be seeing more HEMA and TMA collaboration! Now seems like the best time for me to start that HWMA project I've been thinking of...

[@divineterabyte5181]

Also, I do want to say, I DO remember seeing a text about extending the longsword, using a "southpaw" grip by letting go of the left hand instead of the right, but for the life of me, I have no idea which manuscript it would've been in, it's been a couple years, now

[@Silversong_Reavers]

The first thing that stood out to me was that you were both very respectful of each other's martial arts. You were respectful of them, and they were respectful and genuinely curious about the longsword, and making inquiries in the European fighting style, while making educated guessed and doing what made sense to them, and the cool thing is we got to see some notes we may not have thought of before. The genuine seeking of information made this beautiful, thank you for fostering such an environment, and a massive thanks to the other content creator as well

[@Lymmar]

I love the pure reaction from Seki Sensei. It would be great to see him create some longsword kata.

[@Jedi_Jed]

I’ve been thinking about this lately because I primarily care about modern combat. I like hefty short blades with little to no guard. Ideally concealable. Indoors and in narrow spaces we often have to bring the hilt all the way to the body. I learned so much here. Thank you for making this video.

[@N8ThaGr8r]

I love how everyone is responding to seki sensei. Ive been watching him and shogo for awhile now. One thing ive notice is that hema lacks the same kind of footwork you see in Japanese styles of sword play

[@vyor8837]

No? Both have a lot of footwork.

[@soaringaegis]

I don't think that HEMA itself lacks the foot work necessarily, given that there's a ton of emphasis on stepping in rapier disciplines. But it does seem to be less emphasis on footwork in HEMA groups because of the hobbyist nature of many groups, and because the handbooks that HEMA is based around aren't super complete. There's a consistency and completeness around kenjutsu schools, and the techniques are passed down in a lineage that is relatively unbroken in comparison to HEMA.

[@luneph4091]

😊

[@foldionepapyrus3441]

@@soaringaegis Also seems to me that the style of footwork is different - with HEMA being a bit less dance like for want of a better way to describe it. I'd suggest that is down to the guards on European swords giving you more scope to do things the rather more lacking and very limited to hand only protection of Katana does not - instead of having to keep moving around each other so very much as the Katana masters seems to you use the crossguard to hold their blade and strike past it. Though I do agree HEMA isn't lacking footwork, just that the style seems different.

[@Thulgore]

The sensei's footwork is sneaky......it's a shuffle. This is by design due to the pants and it's fucking awesome to see him use it with a longsword. Honestly, imho, THAT is definitely something hema practitioners should occasionally employ. Hema uses plenty of footwork. What sensei is doing is a completely different type of footwork. (I know that I basically just, said the same thing twice.)

[@Emberen_Dmara]

I watched the video with Seki-Sensai when it was uploaded I absolutely love them and was super pumped to see you did a video on it! I am always stunned by Seki-Sensai and how humble he is. As always awesome video!

[@HeadCannonPrime]

When I saw the original video I absolutely knew Skall and Matt Easton would respond.

[@donder172]

I just came from that video before I found yours. Fun thing, some in comment section actually pointed out towards your channel to answer some of their questions.

[@harig55]

New viewer, and I loved your reaction style! I love when experts deep dive with their reactions as opposed to the all too common “watch with a few comments” style. I also appreciate how you respect the other channel by forwarding people to them for the whole video. Keep up the great work!

[@ryanaiden]

This was the best reaction to this video so far 👏 you definitely share the same humble nature and respect for sword masters and people of all kind 🙏

[@farkasmactavish]

God, I love how this is becoming a whole thing!

[@JuvyThaKid]

This was a great video! It's nice to see a respectful and enthusiastic reaction to Sensei Seki 1st experiencing the longsword. No fanboying or gatekeeping, just enjoying Sensei's 1st experience and adding some helpful information.

[@Gil-galad12]

I usually dont watch "random channels, that YT recommends to me". But yesterday I saw this video how this master is testing longsword and I must to watch it. Now I am interested to see what is your oppinion to this video

[@dudeguy8686]

Sometimes the algorithm just works. Sometimes

[@joeldavis1217]

im sure you've seen Mr eastons video by now... it is fun that you both had similar reactions, him going into depth with historical aspects and you talking the general practibility.. good stuff!

[@DIREWOLFx75]

Also, the channel that it's part of "Let's ask Shogo" is a great one, he brings up all sorts of fun and interesting questions and does it in a very good manner. Totally worth taking a look at and see if it's something you like.

[@donkeysaurusrex7881]

Shogo seems like a pretty cool dude. It is interesting to see the difference where Seki Sensei has embraced the KZbin thing where his tea ceremony master has always been a lot more reticent about it.

[@bigolbearthejammydodger6527]

great vid skal, Ill say here what I said in the senseis vid - Its wonderful to see the weapon combat community doing what the unarmed community did some years back. A meeting of minds is a beautiful thing.

[@valandil7454]

I went to watch a few of those too when Easton took a look 🙂 I've spent over 2 decades now learning Jujutsu along with various Japanese weapons and only got into our European martial arts about 6yrs ago now and I had all the same thoughts 🙂 Seki Sensei's a great Japanese martial artist, it's always nice to see a like minded, similarily trained person mirror the same thoughts. I've really taken to my longsword, actually a little more than my katana (I look forward to your letters 😄)

[@saddlerrye6725]

"It stacks very nicely" - here's a very down-to-Earth reason that I definitely did NOT expect, even if it makes so much sense X'D

[@markgouthro7375]

I love the friendly community between all the experts. Now we need to fund a trip for you and scholagladiatoria to go to Japan.

[@kobaltkween]

I'd love to see a discussion between you and Shogo. You both have a deep knowledge of your inherited traditions and a deep appreciation of others'.

[@skyereave9454]

The beauty of martial arts. We can all learn something from each other.

[@blue_gunfox]

I appreciate how humble the Kenjutsu Master is and how open minded they are! Very good fighters!

[@DoktorWieg]

Really liked both sides of it, how Seki Sensei looked at the sword not knowing how to use it then tried stuff and having that "Ah ha!" moment when he figures things out, as well as some of his insights. And on Skal's end, how some of the points Seki Sensei brought up made sense and were relatable. It's definitively a nice change to see the view from the other side when you have western swordsmen be a dime a dozen on what works or not with a katana but rarely a eastern swordmaster comment on western swords. Wonder how he'd react to rapiers and sabers.

[@Pinkstarclan]

FINALLY a good answer for the pummel! I come as a fan of the og video first, got sick of looking thru the comments for an answer since no one seemed to have one. thank you!

[@TrollDragomir]

The crossover I've been waiting for. I was never a huge fan of the katana (it is a great weapon, but as any has its own tradeoffs and drawbacks), but I was watching Seki Sensei for a while now and it was really refreshing to see a representation of not necessarily martial arts (as is kendo for example), but practical, real combat techniques as they were taught in the past. I recommend checking out their stuff, there's plenty of perspectives that I never came across before.

[@voidstar.studio]

This is an excellent way to handle reaction content. You picked some highlights, watched just enough so you could provide meaningful insight, used your own clips and editing to illustrate your points, and recommended that people watch the original. This is ethical, informative, and entertaining. Well done!

[@LemonCreature]

I found the Original video first, and it was fun to watch. It's neat seeing you "compare notes" as you say and also even giving little visual demonstrations and examples with various European Sword types. Really cool reaction making proper use of the format to deliver some cool new info to the discussion. I didn't realize what a Messer was before this. I do love seeing all of the different sword types and how they can share similarities or even techniques between cultures. I love how versatile melee weaponry is with all the differing techniques or schools of martial arts out there.

[@evocaeden2932]

2:00 I think he was referring to having the guard be horizontal while the true edge is still facing the opponent. So having it mounted on the sword perpendicular to how the longsword actually has it

[@TheSilent333]

I was hoping you would weigh in on this video! So cool to get the Sensei's perspective. Shout out to Seki Sensei! Love that channel

[@JeveGreen]

I knew this video was going to happen the moment I saw the original Seki Sensei-video. It was simply too nerdy NOT to happen! But like always, it was very informative and interesting to watch. I'm always happy to watch a bit of Skall's takes!

[@zenek0328]

9:54 "End them rightly" refference

[@scholagladiatoria]

Great to see your take on this Skall!

[@djkunshu2741]

Thank you for spotlighting this company, I’ll be checking them out. The hobby has changed so drastically since I began…thank you for your instruction 🙏🏼🙂

[@ashtonparrish]

Its interesting how at the start of the video Seki is confused by the alignment of the guard, but by the end of the video he understands it and favors it for the design of the longsword. Talking about how katanas are more oriented for defence with the flats of the blade but lonsword while the flats can be used is much more oriented to defence combos with offence involving the edges of the blade. Its pretty intriguing how he felt the dual edge and angles of the blade actually made the longsword easier to deflect or slap away. Maybe that is a genuine effect of the angles and the spring steel, or maybe an effect of technique and training.

[@MaestroAbar]

The sliding thrust was a technique practiced in Shingyoutouryu (popularized by Shinsengumi etc), which allows the striker to catch the opponent's backstep by sliding thrust, or changing the thrust to side swipe if they attempt a parry by holding the blade horizontally.

[@Weda01]

10:16 Scholagladiatoria addressed this in his video, according to him it was a technique used for Zweihanders.

[@Skallagrim]

Not only, there are single-handed thrusts and cuts shown for longswords too in various treatises.

[@Weda01]

@@Skallagrim Thanks for the further explanation👍🏻

[@varencilator]

You should try the throw "snipe" with your right hand loosening and then gripping by the pommel similar to how the kenjutsu master did it. Although, I imagine it could be a bit scary to drop it and damage the sword.

[@threadfall100]

It's particularly fun trick with a sabre; the guard partially obscures your hand's shifting back and acts as an extra secure stop if it does go pear shaped. Granted the handle's shorter so it makes less difference, but it might just be what lets you land the hit

[@ActionCow69]

It's a very risky trick. One handed thrusts already leave you pretty open when parried, as your lack of leverage lets them beat it far to the side. If you got parried in the middle of that sliding thrust, your sword is probably hitting the ground. And you really don't gain too much over a typical one handed thrust to be worth it.

[@varencilator]

@@ActionCow69 Yeah, it definitely wouldn't be a staple or a fundamental like throwing a pommel but still a cheeky technique against someone who's too confident with their distance management

[@archangel98632]

The open and honest sharing of martial wisdom and wonder. THIS is the "arts" that draw us together such that hopefully "martial" is only minimal and hopefully avoided. Bravo, and thank you to Skall, Seki Sensei, and Shogo!

[@michaelt6413]

Was so excited when I heard about you covering this on the stream yesterday

[@TheBigfeet83]

Saw the Seki Sensei video first and appreciate you covering it and answering the questions they had about it

[@Archontasil]

Seeing you and matt perspective on this is really interesting

[@stratometal]

Crosspollinating of ideas and techniques between different styles could give rise to a new practice, and maybe new swords that incorporate aspects of each other, like maybe a katana with a pommel. That would be fun to watch, an evolution of the sword and other weapons has always tantalized me. When I watched Seki Sensei try out the longsword all I kept thinking was about Skallagrim, Shad and other HEMA practitioners reacting and commenting, I got my wish granted, so freaking happy. Speaking of trying out new things, what Joerg Sprave did with the bow was awesome. Shad is trying out new crazy things for swords, and I can only hope Skall will one day try out or react to some of those shenanigans the boys down under are doing.

[@moddedpan4252]

sick vid. weapons are designed to be intuitive so i imagine anyone with background in combat/swordplay can have a reasonably good idea of how to use a foreign sword with a bit of practice

[@josieteckart]

I am new to your videos, I love your open mind views. That is a proof of a Mastery of your art.

[@qwastem]

I literally just watched this video today (3 Nov) Now I'm watching yours And next will be Matt's

[@Belbetoss]

I had just seen the original video this morning and one of my first thoughts was that you are exactly the person I want to watch and review that video

[@cupcakemedia1143]

I'm going to need Skall to go meet this man and teach him some longsword basics, and him teaching Skall some katana basics.

[@Skallagrim]

That would be fascinating. Sadly flights to Japan are expensive, and thanks to KZbin's algorithm shenanigans my budget is severely limited at this point.

[@neohubris]

@@Skallagrim it's a business expense! drum up some business in Japan

[@TalussAthner]

@@SkallagrimNot that I expect it to help enough but feel like mentioning just for anyone interested in going to Japan, theres a new budget priced airline (zipair) that flies from some California (and hopefully eventually other ones in North America) airports thats like $300 to fly to Tokyo.

[@Skallagrim]

@@TalussAthner Yeah, not in Atlantic Canada unfortunately. A flight from here to Tokyo would be $1600+. Plus accommodation of course.

[@luna7157]

Put out a fundraiser, Skall!

[@sbloomis]

Really interesting stuff. Thanks. Also, that Sensei . . . he caught on so quickly to the differences and possibilities - amazing.

[@justuspickle]

... y'know what? the way seki sensei used the flat of the blade to parry, plus how you mentioned the flat of a longsword is much more bendy than a katana... if you're opponent isn't ready for it (and is also using a more 'sturdy' sword like a katana), i bet the spring force would be really effective at deflecting their blade away without needing very much force