WHAT IS an O-KATANA? With review of Dynasty Forge Silver Wave O-Katana

[@Matthew_Jensen]

Thank you for the shout out! One note on the length interfering with some techniques, O-katana can forcibly make a person learn to do some of them properly. Pulling the saya away from the blade and turning your hips can be a part of some styles. If you happen to be a taller person then it is easy to cheat or simply forget to pull the saya back or move your hips with a more standard sized katana. Odd as it is, O katana can be a more effective tool to learn traditional techniques due to it being a little more proportional in size for taller folks.

[@scholagladiatoria]

That's awesome, thanks Matthew.

[@ecth97]

That's definitely how it worked for me, starting training with longer blades to actually get better at proper technique, though I also happen to prefer longer weapons in general

[@Matthew_Jensen]

@@scholagladiatoria kzbin.info/www/bejne/eYqspmicoZJqppI - I opted to do a video response. Perhaps it is more helpful to the conversation.

[@bmxriderforlife1234]

Yes my two favorite. Skall is 3rd.

[@asahearts1]

The technique Matthew is talking about is shown in this video, along with a few others: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bpLXgoijoM6Yaqs Fascinating stuff.

[@giovanni5558]

That moment when you are on evening shift at work and got nothing to do, then an hour long video from scholagladatoria pops up on youtube!

[@Sk0lzky]

You made me realise this video is hour long when I'm at 50m mark... Matt is like a massive celestial body, curves space time itself

[@EgaoKage]

The ornaments were moved to that position on the handle in later periods, when the sword itself was functioning almost as an ornament. They're on the sides they are (in the example you're holding), so that they would be more visible, when the sword is sheathed and resting in the obi. So, even in that day, it was no secret that the ornaments were only that...ornaments. Now, the origin of the ornaments would probably be a sort of small wooden wedge, that would have forced under the handle wrap on each side (the opposite sides that we see most on today) of the handle, to significantly tighten the wrapping. In other words, they likely began as a practical adaptation. In any case, it is perfectly acceptable to slide them out, and put them on the other side. They are purely a matter of preference. :)

[@Vlad_Tepes_III]

Finally, a longer than average Japanese sword. Those are rare enough among modern enthusiasts. Nodachi and Dai-katana (or O-katana, whichever the preferable term might be) need more love.

[@thedarquibus]

Look up Nodachi

[@Vlad_Tepes_III]

@@thedarquibus Any nodachi in particular?

[@outsideiskrrtinsideihurt699]

Bruh why do tachi not get enough attention even though they were the predominant backup sword??

[@Vlad_Tepes_III]

@@outsideiskrrtinsideihurt699 They're older. The katana is fresher in modern memory, especially modern western memory.

[@EclipsisTenebris]

Odachi is my prefered term since it means greatsword... and I like to think of it as an aknowledgement to the power of the Oda clan. I have never seen O-katana or Dai-katana used in authentic japanese sources even though they are technically correct.

[@davidioanhedges]

So Japanese swords are named Sword, Small Sword, Big Sword, One Edged Sword, Side Sword, Big One Edged Sword - usually as a pair known as Big Small... so the same as European swords ...

[@camerongunn7906]

Yeah, pretty much. People tend to over think it.

[@brittakriep2938]

Also in Europe many sword owners also carried it together with a dagger.

[@GadoukenRising]

Don't forget "Big Thick Sword" (Odachi) and "Field Sword" (Nodachi) !

[@based_prophet]

Yeah ironically

[@based_prophet]

The word is Ken for sword tho

[@taekatanahu635]

I thought O'Katana is Irish replica of a katana.

[@Yellow.1844]

lol

[@charlesghannoumlb2959]

Like the joke, it cracked me up😁

[@charlesghannoumlb2959]

@@D0wnshift its great to know this thks for the info

[@franciscodanconia3551]

I thought that was the McKatana, and the Scottish version was the MacKatana.

[@lalli8152]

@@D0wnshift Really? I always assumed that was the original way irish names worked, and it was very common generally in european countries before modern naming systems. Son/daughter of system officially exists only in iceland i think in modern times though. Also to my understanding mac means son, and O' more like descendant of in irish.

[@iamnoman85]

It is also worth mentioning that different ryu-ha recommend shorter or longer swords based on the size of the practitioners. For instance, in Eishin ryu iaido, which I practice, we prefer a bit longer swords, and, based on my hight of 190cm, this o-katana would actually be ideal length for me. In (at least eishin ryu) the sword is not drawn only with the right hand, but also by pulling the saya back with the left hand, so a sword this size compared to someone of my (or even Matt's) size is actually quite manageable.

[@thrownswordpommel7393]

Isn't pulling the scabbard back standard procedure with Japanese swords ? I'm genuinely surprised this would be a ryu-specific thing

[@iamnoman85]

@@thrownswordpommel7393 I believe it is common practice, yes, but my experience is limited only to Eishin-ryu, so I didn't want to speak out of turn.

[@ecth97]

@@thrownswordpommel7393 It's standard practice but the exact method used depends on the ryu-ha and on the practitioner. For Enshin ryu it is especially important because of the length of their blades

[@FelixstoweFoamForge]

This is so true. I've got short arms for my height, so drawing my ito is impossible unless i move my hips backwards at the same time, which funnily enough is how i was taught to do it anyway.

[@Guillermo_says]

I trained Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu Iaijutsu, we had the chance to train with our Soke Sekiguchi Takaki for 2 weeks during 2 consecutive years. That school uses only O Katanas but no one knows why, Soke would always point a reason out but there was never a particular reason, every practitioner would come up with their own reasons and at some point it gets kind of ridiculous trying to understand why, but it was pretty much required. In the end, training was brutal, we mostly used custom hardwood bokens that we made ourselves, saya was made by heating a 1 1/2 pvc pipes and forming them with the boken after the rough shaping so the fit snuggly and would actually function... Those things were massive. Anyhow, I just wanted to share.

[@YouTubalcaine]

I think it's a fair price, you're getting a better grade of steel with a clay temper and finer polish than the Musha class, but the furniture still has the same flaws (most notably the rounded kashira that can cause the ito to come loose, as noted in a previous video) but in my experience even the 1060 will cut 2" live hardwood as easily as this one. If there's one thing Dynasty Forge gets right (and arguably the most important thing) it's the temper/heat treatment. This one seems reasonable for what you're getting, and there's no denying it's a little prettier than their low-end models, but if all you want is a budget beater you can get equal performance for half the price. I'd love to see a review of their Gold Mon Tachi, but even on sale it's a bit beyond what my poor wallet can bear. :D

[@valandil7454]

Those replicas are beautiful, I love how the Japanese put so much effort into the aesthetic. I like that you've made the point that weapons were made to fit the wielder, I've had too many people insist that because it's this particular length it's this type of nihonto/japanese sword. It's all in the handling, a Tachi fits me far more than a Katana because I like the reach and heft because of the longer lever. Just a point though Matt when practicing Iaido you take a wide stance and pull the scabbard away from the blade as well so the drawing cut can be done with much longer blade lengths, I've seen a 5' women pull a near enough 5' nodachi like that then move into halfswording it's amazing to watch

[@mtgAzim]

Yesss! A 1 hour Matt Easton video!!!!

[@louisvictor3473]

O-katana is a surprise katana. Like, you walking on the street and suddenly bumping one and you go "o, katana!"

[@tihomirrasperic]

the o-katana is a sword for the horseman length is essential for momentum and range when you ride a horse past an infantry

[@louisvictor3473]

@@tihomirrasperic Do you know why people don't invite you to parties?

[@Eric_Viking]

You beat me to it..... :-) I'm too slow

[@seanheath4492]

I thought it was what you say when you have a swordgasm. :P

[@Phoenix6942-7]

​@@seanheath4492 swordgasm. I'm stealing that.

[@ycplum7062]

Next video: The 10 Differences between the O-Katana and O-Canada.

[@dmanx500]

One is a cool thing I can't afford, the other is the song of the falling apart country I live in.

[@alexxu3004]

@@dmanx500 you can't even sing all thy sons nowadays

[@saeyabor]

An O-Katana is very likely to cut you and even more unlikely to apologize (but might bow first). An O-Canada is very unlikely to cut you but would definitely say *SOAR-ee* if it did.

[@luc410]

@@dmanx500 i felt that

[@hollybrereton3140]

I'm not really into swords other than in RPG but i do love your channel the history and your candid honesty to everthing, thank you for you great work.

[@JapanatWar]

Katana for the most part became popular just when on foot, however the Tachi was preferred by any samurai that would use a horse

[@Deeznutz002]

Thought the Yumi was perfered by samurai. No real master of combat wants a fight one on one. The more enemy's you can dispatch the greater your personal skill. Granted, samurai from the 1200s an 1800s couldn't be compared. In my humble opion samurai from the 1600s on are not real samurai.

[@nos8141]

@@Deeznutz002 in older times, but that is a completely different weapon.. it was about specifically swords (which would not really be a main weapon that some might think)

[@charles2703]

@@Deeznutz002 The Yumi sucks. Even the Japanese knew that it was a terrible weapon and abandoned it en mass after Mongolian invasion, leaving combat archery to foot soldiers

[@JapanatWar]

@@Deeznutz002 Yes and no. In your Muromachi Period (1338-1573) A lot of samurai decided to move away from the mounted archer model and went to charges, commanding from horseback. In previous periods absolutely

[@valandil7454]

@@charles2703 where did you get that from? A full Yumi not the Hanku halfbows produce the same energy as many early European longbows. Archery was the preferred battlefield weapon in Japan even on horseback till the mass production of the matchlock rifle

[@lightningandodinify]

That o-katana looks so gorgeous. The extra length really adds to the slender curve aesthetic

[@lucanic4328]

To add some context to the terms 倭 wa, it should be noted that while ut can be associated to dwarf, it also means someone being docile, obedient and bented over as performing a "bow". When the term was associated with Japan in the 1st A.D. It is very likely that Japanese people were called so because of their "bowing" customs and due to their kindness, two strong element of the Japanese culture even nowadays, rather than their height. Average height of Japanese people in the 16th century was aroubd 1.60-65 meters, but Chinese people were in no place to call them dwarf to be fair as they weren't much taller. Still, when the term was originated, Japanese people of the Yayoi period were taller than those of 16th and 17th century.

[@Knoloaify]

Rather than the supposed kindness of the Japanese (I don't think the Chinese had that in mind when they faced Wako pirates), I think it's more of a reference to the relationship between China and Japan back then. Right up until the 19th century, Japan would be viewed as a small country subservient to the Chinese Empire. In that context, that character would make perfect sense.

[@eagle162]

To add wasn't until about Ming dynasty when the term became to have negative connotation.

[@adenyang4398]

@@Knoloaify Japan did have good relations with the Tang empire in its early conception, but their political ties & subservience towards the Zhongyuan had been very loose or non-existant due to fragmentation and constant feudal warfare until the 17th century. In terms of Japan being subservient/politically tied ancient Koreanic kingdoms are the closest one could find, everything else not so much. Edo period Japan did hold some form of peace treaty with late era Joseon, but that one was extremely loose.

[@colbunkmust]

O katana, katana wherefore art thou katana?

[@comfortablegrey]

"What an O-katana feels to me may be what a katana felt to a person of that era" is some high level contextual input, and for that I like and subscribe scholagladioatoria.

[@MP_pov]

Very comprehensive, thank you. Not a bad piece for someone who might have it mostly on display for novelty reasons and no high cutting expectations unless it is sharpened.

[@stanlim9182]

As always, I really enjoyed learning as well as watching you learning about the history of swords in your videos.

[@moreparrotsmoredereks2275]

I really like this particular room. The weapons on the unpainted doors look really good.

[@danielkeding3071]

Matt, Great video. When performing iaido the sword is released not only by pullingh it out but also by pulling the saya back - this motion is called saya biki. I'm 6'2" and have no trouble at all using a any where from a 29" to a 32" blade. I'm a big fan of Dynasty Forge and have three of their katanas, a wakisashi and a tanto. I enjoy your videos very much and appreciate you keepiong the history of the sword alive. Dan.

[@maximechouinard8902]

Keep in mind that there were laws about sword lengths starting in the Edo period. In 1670, Tokugawa Iyetsuna issued a regulation, making the length of tachi 2’8”, and O Wakizashi 1’8”, and anyone carrying a longer sword was liable for punishment. The wakizashi length was reduced to 1'5" later on. So while you could keep longer swords at home (I guess) or offer them to temples, carrying them around was illegal. So many swords would have been cut down to fit those new laws.

[@BudgetGunsandGearReviews]

Sword Control?

[@moritamikamikara3879]

@@BudgetGunsandGearReviews Yup. Exactly that.

[@tn1881]

The samurai was licensed so he could own a long katana. Some have long katana because the laws differ from region to region. The original purpose of these decree is to wipe out criminals who carry long katana and fight.

[@maximechouinard8902]

@@tn1881 While it is true that various hans would be harder to control, this being a feudal regime after all, the laws still existed for the bushi class as well. The minimum and maximum lengths of a katana were set in 1645 to 2 shaku 8 to 9 sun (= 84.84cm - 87.87cm). Nodachi size swords were absolutely banned, and wearing one would be an act of defiance to the Shogunate. The rules were even stricter for daimyo and their entourage visiting Edo, which they had to do on a regular basis. The maximum length there was 2 shaku 3 sun (=69.69cm) and of course absolutely no wearing of a katana in the castle. Ref: Ogasawara, 1994 If you have sources saying otherwise I would be interested to see them.

[@tn1881]

@@maximechouinard8902 ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%89%93%E5%88%80 At the end of the Tokugawa shogunate, the samurai became popular with the practical and durable 3shaku long uchikatana. Samurai, who assists the shogunate, also began to use the long katana. Until 1683, even farmers and tradesmen could carry katana with them. The rules are different for each han. In Satsuma, o-tachi (nodachi) with a total length of about 115 cm-120 cm, which is called Satsuma tachi, was often used. The top sumo wrestlers possessed a hoso tachi that fits their physique. Performing arts, street performers, possessed o-wakizashi, which is over 2 shaku and 3 shaku. A sword permit was granted by the government office due to a moral judgment commensurate with the times. Even in the Edo samurai, o-tachi of 3 shaku or more was used in the Tamiya style. There were various Iai schools that used long katana even in han in various places. Even in front of the emperor, the samurai possessed a katana. In this case, the samurai should not use katana, but using katana was the beginning of the 47ronin case.

[@DeviantHematite]

I'm really interested to see you cover Tachi. The examples I've seen are quite heavily curved and I'd be interested to see how they were used (i know mostly on horseback but there must have been ways to use them on foot as well).

[@Qwayeasn]

I love your description of the hilt as "fairly noduled skin with fairly regular fairly fair sized diamonds on a fairly large tang" :D what a fair weapon!

[@morriganmhor5078]

Didn´t you forget the "regulatory" Tokugawa edict on the length of the swords?

[@gregcampwriter]

Okatana, where the blade comes sweeping through the brains...

[@Rob_Fordd]

I'm 6'4 with a big frame. I bought my first katana, a Dojo Pro, off Ronin Katana's scratch and dent sale last year (along with the two handed Medieval longsword #2). I love it, but to be honest it does really feel like more of a one handed weapon to me, and the reach wasn't super satisfactory. This year during the sale (still happening) I got their O-Katana #9, which is basically on par with the one in this video in dimensions. Oh man what a world of difference. I can still draw it easily and do all the same moves because it really is just scaled up like 20%, which basically makes it proportional to me how a regular katana would be to your average japanese dude, especially back in the day lol. I've always wondered if the sword Benkei used (one of seven different weapons he carried everywhere with him) was unusually long. He was a 6'5 Samurai and in 1189, defended a narrow bridge against hundreds of warriors as his master committed suicide. After losing a massive number of troops, the enemy retreated and filled him with arrows, yet he did not fall. When they approached, the corpse suddenly collapsed. He had died standing up.

[@kevinstachovak8842]

I have been eyeing Ronin Katana's dojo pro line. Was it a satisfactory purchase and which dojo pro model did you buy?

[@Rob_Fordd]

@@kevinstachovak8842 Oh absolutely satisfactory, was the #28. It was one of the first swords in my collection, and the first to really make me say "whoa" when drawing it. The sword just has this solidity and appropriate feeling weight that makes you realize just how trash wallhanger/mall katanas really are. They aren't just cheap, they are a mockery. There's a stand of bamboo trees near my house that the Dojo Pro has made short work of several times without edge damage.

[@kevinstachovak8842]

@@Rob_Fordd I do understand that; and thank you for the feedback. Yeah I know exactly what you're talking about. I own a few 'junk' katanas and one clay tempered, trad forged blade. The traditionally made real hamon blade feels alive somehow in the hands that wall hangers can't compare with. I think I just may check out the DP line

[@dougsinthailand7176]

From what I've seen, the samegawa doesn't usually "wrap" around the tsuba; it usually consists of two separate plates on either sides of the tsuba.

[@lidlett9883]

Explaining why there's some sowrds larger than normal. What comes to my mind: "other word,; There's always swordsmen. Who feel they must compensate for lacking in other ways."

[@guttsumamoru5213]

What a coincidence! I started researching on the O-katana this week. Considering to get one. Thanks for the vid!

[@nealsterling8151]

Wow, love these (for youtube) super long videos! Very appreciated!

[@thedamnyankee1]

the Katana is is a Japanese sword characterized by a curved, single-edged blade with a circular or squared guard and long grip to accommodate two hands. the Tachi is a corvette class frigate with 6 pdcs and 2 torpedo tubes. It was stolen after the loss of the MCRN Donnager.

[@MalletMann]

Hey now, it’s a legitimate salvage!

[@nubsandbolts920]

I just got my custome made Japanese style 'authentic' Wakizashi 1060 handforged clay temp'd. Mostly for ornamental purposes but wow its very nice. Going to upload my unboxing shortly. Grreat vids!

[@cs4870]

I always love the content you put out and this deep dive into this current production sword was great. Thanks for making such high quality content Sir Easton.

[@markfergerson2145]

Reaction/rebuttal from Metatron in 5...4...3... One of your longer reviews. Much appreciated for the greater than usual depth and detail you went into, and the cutting tests were very instructive as to what to expect from a not-quite-sharpened sword. (Does the maker, like so many, offer different grades of sharpness?) A bit of katana lore I picked up somewhere but haven't been able to verify- when held with the thumb against the tsuka, with the arm and wrist relaxed, the tip of the blade should just brush the ground. If that's true it would help explain why so many katana seem "short" to Westerners used to European swords made for statistically taller peoples.

[@kevinstachovak8842]

I've heard that a traditionally made katana (that is, not some junky factory-made wall hanger) can be fully disassembled and reassembled. I'm afraid to take mine apart because I'll probably never figure out how to put it back together again and I'd probably lose the mekugi or something. Loved this, got home from work and treated myself to this video. Well done video btw, cheers!

[@J_n..]

The Tachi was developed for use on horseback and the Katana became more popular around the time when pike and shot warfare became the prominent form of warfare in Japan

[@scholagladiatoria]

In fact the katana (or uchigatana) became popular before firearms were introduced into Japan. Tachi come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and so do katana - some are better suited to mounted use (one handed) and some are better on foot. They were both used on horse and on foot.

[@J_n..]

@@scholagladiatoria yes, you are right that katana became more popular before the intoduction of firearms, first from china and later from europe. But the popularity of the katana is obviusly in the period when fighting on foot became dominant after the mongol invasion attempts. Obviusly any sword designed for use on horseback can be used on foot, we find this in medivael europe a lot, and any sword than can be used onehanded can be used on horseback, like a longsword or a smallsword. When connecting the transition from the tachi to the katana with the development with warfare in Japan its in the same timeframe Samurai transitioned from mounted archers to footman with polearms as the primary weapon who figth in groups. And these development leads to the pike and shot formations of the sengoku jidai. In the edo period the sword was more a sign of nobility similiar to a courtsword As always there is for everything an execeptipon.

[@ajw9975]

I'd like to see a post-review after you've honed the blade and your impressions of the performance therafter.

[@ROBBEAUDOIN66]

I prefer menuke at my finger tips, it aids in edge work in drill and cutting.

[@corneredfox]

*"O-tachi is a big tachi, and o-katana is a big katana."* Tachi is actually just a shorthand to say the sword was well made, it's more a modern/Western idea to refer to a type of sword as a tachi. This is also true with odachi/otachi, which just meant that IN CONTEXT it was a longer blade. Now the context here is that if it's paired with a shorter blade (as they often were) that shorter blade would be called a kodachi/kotachi, and their actual length doesn't matter so long as one is longer/shorter than the other. For example in Miyamoto Musashi's school of Niten Ichi-ryu the "katana" and "wakizashi" are called odachi and kodachi respectively, even though they're normal sized. The same language could also be used if you partnered a "tachi" with a tanto, both could still be called "odachi" and "kodachi." Coincidentally tanto were the original wakizashi, as the term refers only to a blade that is the companion of another (usually longer) blade and not to a specific type of sword. Wakizashi is also an abbreviation of wakizashi no katana. Basically none of the terms we use today to refer to Japanese swords actually referred to a specific sword or sword style. Terms like "o-katana" or "ko-katana" are likewise just made up terms that don't make sense when you actually translate them into Japanese. "O-katana" would actually be pronounced "daito," a category used to ANY sword with a blade length greater than 2 shaku (roughly 2ft), while ko-katana would be pronounced "shoto" and refer to any blade with a blade length between 1 to 2 shaku.

[@DavidMann10k]

Tachi vs katana sounds like an awesome breakdown. Yes please!

[@AdrianoEPV]

Matt has some nice smooth pair of hands... Should keep then away from rough fittings! Very nice review and insights... Great work as always, sir.

[@erichusayn]

Wish there were more on the production market.

[@erichusayn]

Shame about that edge.

[@sealo97]

Is it bad that any video about Japanese swords just makes me wanna go watch the metatron 🤣 no but seriously love the video Matt I’m also trying to learn more about Japanese swords so it’s nice to see even great youtubers like you trying to learn more too!

[@ngoctrand.6032]

All big swords belong to a specific weapon category called “the Great Compensator”

[@Max_Flashheart]

It is close to the same size as my Iaito training sword Blade 32" Overall length 42" (made to measure in Japan). Tsuba with dotted patterns will always eat your knuckles if possible. Hot points on sword furniture is something I teach students to look out for. Students love the bling designs but they can come at a cost when training.

[@Varentill]

I actually received delivery of an o-katana myself, quite recently. I ordered it specifically because my primary sword of study is the longsword, and I wanted something that would be close in length to what I was used to. The handling of the two blades is quite different, though, as my longsword is a type XV1a, and is more nimble than the more stout o-katana.

[@Varentill]

And that is despite the fact that the blade style of my o-katana is kanmuri otoshi zukuri, and therefore has a long false edge for near 2/3 of the blade length.

[@ExplosiveFetus]

I've heard James Williams talk about sword size in one of his videos, and he gave some data on the swords of the 47 ronin, and the average length was actually of what we consider o-katana length. I don't have the source, but it's something that stuck with me for whatever reason. I suspect war swords tended on the longer size, hence why tachi of periods where warfare was more common, tended to be longer. The shorter swords of subsequent periods were probably for more comfortable daily wear.

[@joshuaevans5070]

I would have to say you have very good edge aliment that helps a ton very nice cutting love your vids!

[@frankharr9466]

24 in.= 61 cm 28 in.= 71 cm 27 in.= 69 cm 29 in.= 74 cm 32 in.= 81 cm 33 in.= 84 cm 1/84 m= 6 ft. 1/2 in. (good work!). 1,225 g= 43,21 oz. or 43 oz. 3.4 dr.av.

[@Krishnaeternal]

Great vid and really good pronunciation of the Japanese words, Matt! I myself use a 36 inch blade for iai, and with your height you can definitely take on a 3-foot long blade for iaido, no problem!

[@brized]

Really cool shot at 38:31

[@feylann9246]

Dynasty Forge probably offers 2 finishes on the blade when ordering. Either shipped sharpened or unsharpened. Easy way to add an extra fee during purchase. They probably sent you the cheaper version.

[@TheBurtonian]

At aroind 14.00 minutes you discuss Iai! I acctually did a few years of Iaido around the millenniumshift in the school of Muso Shinden Ryo witch is a school that preferes longer swords. The standard length in the club was around 32 inch and I had a 33 inch sword. I am tall but the heart of the thing isnthat we trained special techniques to draenthosenlong blades in Iaido. It has to do with hipturning. You can get quite some more drawlength out by turning your hip towards the saya. It also winds you up for the first singlehand cut.

[@ovk-ih1zp]

Part of the problem you might be having with the water filled soda bottles is not only is the plastic thicker than the milk bottles, but with a 1 liter soda bottle the sitting surface area is smaller than the milk bottles, making your target less stable & more likely to tip as the blade passes through the target. Undoubtedly a sharper edge would help greatly, but so would using 2 liter soda bottles that have a broader foot print, making them more stable. edit: This "Advice" might be a little late depending on how long ago the video was shot, but with the performance as is you might want to just strop the blade with a leather stropping pad & a set of progressively finer polishing compounds rather than stoning the blade. With the edge geometry that the blade has it probably wouldn't take much to improve the cutting characteristics of the blade.

[@danielcarril7956]

Actually, some iai styles use longer blades and, indeed, they use different methods for drawing or wearing the blade. Also, regarding the hands and the pommel, some schools also do the same leverage as in many long sword styles, with some minor differences in how much of the hand is used for covering the pommel.

[@MandalorV7]

I did dabble in looking into the differences between Japanese swords a few months ago after playing Ghost of Tsushima. A bit confusing but understandable. When theses things were first created they didn’t care about distinctly defining them. A sword is a sword.

[@Brewza50]

The length would only really be a problem, in regards to drawing, if the scabbard was "fixed" in a position, rather than cinched into the obi/ belt. My drawing techniques were always made fast with the blade being drawn, while the scabbard was being retracted. The length, in this case, really isn't that big an issue for iaido, and the like.

[@ryuukake]

Will you replace the tsuba with a larger one? and would you design the Schola Gladiatoria Tsuba?

[@Vlad_Tepes_III]

12:50 was waiting for that comparison.

[@thedarquibus]

Very interesting. I always thought that after the Nodachi there was no more Japanese Long swords used much. Thanks for the lesson.

[@lukeman9851]

It'd be interesting if you could get a larger tsuba (like the 9cm ones you've mentioned before) to mount on it to really get a feel for what these swords were like for their period users.

[@donavantew8278]

Outstanding video my friend

[@thomaslehner5605]

When you draw a long Katana, please try stepping backwards with your left leg and move your hip backwards. This way the blade comes out much easier and faster.

[@bo_392]

wow i didn't even notice the time. what a cool sword.

[@b.h.abbott-motley2427]

The Japanese swords that made the greatest impression in China in the 16th century appear to have been even longer than this. For instance, the Changdao/Dandao specified in the late-ming-era Dan Dao Fa Xuan had a nearly 48-inch blade (3 chi 8 cun, or 121.6 cm). The much smaller version that text assigns to crossbowers still has a blade slightly over 35 inches (2 chi 8 cun, or 89.6 cm). & supposedly the swords the Japanese used in the Imjin War were longer than Korean (& Ming?) swords.

[@eagle162]

Yeah laws were made regarding blade length during edo period, that's where we get the sword length people are familiar with.

[@jaycole1342]

Brov, listen. I'm 5'7. Been doing lado/Kendo since '97. Shorter blades are drawn closer to sternum. Longer blades are shifted back toward kidney. You know you blades, and the range you can draw them. Quick draw, versus sling, vs casual, vs comfort. I've an O-Katana with arms reach. Apendix sling, cannot draw. Hip carry, possible -but awkward / difficult. Kidney, can sling shot. I know you've done a show on Curved Swords - but draw point/origin drastically changes with straight v curved - which you didn't touch on. Also, belt height. Navel/waist/hip/hanging draw points effect the math DRASTICALLY. Love your shows, and your channel. But your height and build trying to suss out the finer points of other ppl's weapons.. Without that point of reference... Keep at it mate

[@Robert399]

He didn't contradict that; he just mentioned in passing that you would have to alter the technique to get it out.

[@gushlergushler]

The fuchi coming lose is definitely not a user error. While most japanese sword styles encourage not touching the tsuba with the index and thusly also reducing the contact to the fuchi, the way it is supposed to be is a friction fit between the handle and the fuchi. Depending on wether your same-wrap is extending over that area of contact of ending underneath it (in which case you usually have a wider wooden area) it is not supposed to come loose at all.

[@anthonylamonica8301]

I'm not too shocked that you had a few minor hiccups with the koshirae when cutting with this O-Katana. The fittings on this sword are indicative that this particular blade is set up to be worn at your side; if it was not in use, it would be set up in shirasaya. However, if the sword was properly furnished for combat use, the menuki would be on the other side of the hilt; they should fit into your palms, and the right hand is ALWAYS the hand closest to the blade. Considering this, the fixtures on this O-Katana indicate more of a decorative intent than a practical one, though you clearly CAN use it if needed. I hope you know someone that can give that puppy a proper sharpening and polish.

[@dougsinthailand7176]

There's some variability in the location of the menuki. You mention the most common configuration, but there are many exceptions.

[@anthonylamonica8301]

@@dougsinthailand7176 As it turns out, having the menuki on the finger-side of the hilt is a relatively "modern" development. Presumably, it allows observers to see the craftsmanship that went into the creation of a Japanese sword and all of its fittings more easily than in its "battle ready" configuration; otherwise, the menuki nearest to the kashira, the one you would have the best chance of actually seeing, would be facing a samurai's stomach and be concealed. If you intend to carry the sword in public, but you neither intend nor expect to have to use it, this is how it would be worn. It's a status symbol. If a samurai DID plan on possibly using his sword in combat, he'd have the whole sword disassembled, swap out the fittings to something more utilitarian (i.e. something he doesn't mind getting nicked or dented), then have the hilt re-wrapped with the menuki where his palms would go, still covering the mekugi pins.

[@spectre5766]

Thanks for touching base on the grip ornament (manuki?)! I was always thought it was pretty neat but curious if that would hinder the wielder's grip.

[@robbikebob]

Maybe they could offer 2 options, a 'display' sword, exactly what you have there, and a 'cutting' sword, with a fine edge and plainer fittings. Then you can choose whether you want it nice to look at or nice in the hand.

[@anthonylamonica8301]

If it's made correctly, all they'd need to do is sell a separate set of fittings. Japanese swords were made in such a way that the whole blade could be disassembled and the koshirae, barring the habaki, can be swapped out and replaced entirely with ease.

[@chakinabox]

Ah, so this is type of katana Vergil's swingin with! Honestly gives me a better reference when thinking about size, form and handling and heck makes sense that a powerful devil arm in the form of a katana may as well be modeled after a great one!

[@afinoxi]

Oversized katana. Get it ? O-katana ?

[@FENomadtrooper]

ookii doki.

[@ArtoPekkanen]

I guess your life long practice in cutting helped a lot in cutting those bottles. When you tried to draw cut the paper the edge seemed so dull I thought it would not cut through the bottles ... Anyway, it's always nice to watch some well executed precision cutting :)

[@donovanmccain]

In the Edo period (after the waring states period when things had settled down) I believe there was a restriction on swords above a certain length at court. Similar to what you hear about in the Spanish court when Destreza was popular as a Spanish rapier system. Anyways, prior to these restrictions I think you would have seen more variation due to personal preference and he size of the user.

[@eagle162]

Yes that this true.

[@marcoatzori92]

Very nice video, as always!

[@cerberaodollam]

Huh. Modern (Eastern) European here being 5'4 (163). Maybe this is why I felt so weird in that longsword training course....

[@dzonbrodi514]

Surely the reason why the stated length is different on the website than what Matt measures it to be because he measures in a straight line and the actual number of inches of the cutting edge are more than that due to the blade being curved?

[@Tito_Viera]

[Imagine Ron Pearlman narrating voice] "And so Matt begin his unexpected journey from hema to the arts of the samurai" 🤣🤣🤣

[@rumplefourskin6775]

Katana's are such beastly cutters. Even without a good edge they're sweet.

[@allengordon6929]

Do an O-Wakizashi next. They are underappreciated.

[@pbr-streetgang]

Thanks for the vid sir.👍🏼👍🏼

[@peterfinland1370]

Incredible performance for a sword that's not even sharp enough to cut paper. I think that tells us something. So I can only imagine if it was sharpened.

[@kwanarchive]

It' s a Japanese musical about a samurai love triangle.

[@notsans9995]

I would contact Dynasty Forge about the Saya if I were you. The integrity of the Koiguchi is of some concern, the reason Horn is tradtionally used at the mouth of the Saya is because Horn is less likely to be cut and split open from drawing the blade over time, epecially during draw cuts. If you believe the Koiguchi is made from regular wood or otherwise comprimised it is best to get it looked at and possibly replaced before continued practice with the sword. I've seen many koiguchi failures and often times the damage done to the hand can be irreparable. I personally have a friend who experienced a koiguchi failure during a draw cut in a tatami test and blade completely cut through the upper 4 inches of the saya and sliced into his left palm, severing multiple nerves between his thumb and index finger and nearly cleaving through his thumb. Its only now after 6 years the nerve damage is healing and he gaining some partial use of his hand again.

[@vedymin1]

You have to learn how to sheathe katanas without looking Matt :) by laying the spine on the hand that grabs the saya (its best to grab a bit over the opening, to avoid pinching the skin by the spine)) and sliding it until the point lands in the opening :)

[@scholagladiatoria]

Funnily enough, I have been researching how modern that is. After all, it doesn't work with a slung sword like a tachi. It's also dangerous with certain styles of katana.

[@vedymin1]

Its quite effective and stylish though :D and convenient. I don't imagine there are alot of katanas with false edges ? Skall has one i think :)

[@TomaszDurlej]

Correct me if I’m wrong, but with long sword you want to hit (slash one) with blade few inches from tip, not with tip. Where when using katana you want to hit enemy with tip. So for slashing there is no so much different.

[@jamesfrankiewicz5768]

Japanese swords are generally stiff blades (not spring tempered) compared to european blades (usually at least somewhat springy). With a spring tempered sword, you want to cut at the center of percussion which is also the vibration node (tap the sword to make it vibrate, then look for the point that appears to hold still). With the stiffness of Japanese swords, you don't get any real low frequency (i.e. visible) vibration, so there isn't a center of percussion per se, which means you can cut effectively pretty close to the tip.

[@connorwald2016]

Would be very interested to see you review a Balaur arms sword, I have their Type XIV and it seems fantastic.

[@GenStallion]

You did a straight line measurement, what's the length if you follow the blade or edge?

[@sachawilliams7731]

I've always liked the tachi better. Didn't know what it was called, or that it is considered a different sword though. Cool video

[@DeafBlindMan]

An O-katana is a misnomer used by vendor websites. Historically no one uses that term and here is why: in Japanese, katana is written 刀. "Ô" as in big is written 大. If you write 大刀 you get "daito" which means long sword as in any sword with a blade over 2 shaku (~2 feet). In case it's not clear: 大刀 is read as daito not o-katana (ogatana ? :)) A katana over 3 shaku is called Odachi 大太刀 (big 大 tachi 太刀) aka Nodachi 野太刀 nowadays. Historically the term had a slightly different use as many other terms within different time periods. A katana on the bigger side is just a katana. A 33" blade is still under 3 feet so it's just a katana 刀, or uchigatana 打刀 if you wanna be specific.

[@coolsenjoyer]

Something i've always wondered, why do we use the Japanese terms for the parts of the sword when discussing katanas but with swords from any other country, we just use the English terms?

[@scholagladiatoria]

In fairness, we don't. Quillon is from French. Nagel is German. We refer to 'zweihander', 'montante' etc. But I agree that the Japanese terms are usually used as a form of snobbishness to some extent, but they are the accepted language of Japanese swords and in many cases we actually don't have English words for those parts, because English swords didn't have those parts.

[@dallassukerkin6878]

The usual adjustment to technique with a long blade in Iai is to bring the left hip back as you draw and also draw the saya back at the same time (I have heard some sensei additionally speak of allowing a rolling of the saya over to a greater than normal degree to try and prevent cutting the koiguchi)). It goes against the tradition that, as far as possible, all movements with a katana are forwards but needs must if the tool you have is not perfectly suited to the task. After all, being able to draw cut and thus not die is preferable to dying but knowing that you did not pollute your form :D. Is an O-Katana too long for this to work? This will, as Matt said, somewhat depend on how long limbed you are. I have long arms for my height, so I can handle longer blades with reasonable form, but I have never tried to draw-cut with something as long as an O-katana. I suspect that with live blades there would be a lot of split saya and maybe sliced fingers :chuckles;.

[@PARAMONARIOS]

Yes! Okatana! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 Now you need to get a nodachi someday! 😁

[@RonJohn63]

Regarding the rough texture of the suba(?) and end-cap: did warriors fight and practice bare-handed or wearing gloves?

[@jiokl7g9t6]

Some Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu iai lineages train with 33" blades - for say ~5' 6" tall people

[@u06jo3vmp]

About the issue of old Japanese people being short, there are two reasons. First is genetics. The east Asian people can actually be roughly characterized into two groups. The first group is the northern Chinese, Koreans, Mongols, etc. The second group is the southern Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai, Tibetans, and by some extent the southeast Asian islanders. Of course there are a lot of mixing going on throughout history, but generally speaking Japanese are closer to the second group, and are generally shorter than the first group. Second is diet. During that period, Buddhism was very popular in Japan, and the ruling class took it much more seriously than the Chinese and Korean. So meat eating was considered a bad thing. It's until the Meiji period that the emperor was influenced by westerners and started to encourage his people to eat meat and drink milk, and indeed the Japanese people started getting taller since then. But even in modern time their average height is still considerably shorter than say, the South Koreans, but taller than North Koreans. So you can see how both nutrition and genetics played a role.

[@wraith67]

I'm curious what the prevalence was of the shorter blades (24" 'ish)? I had read and heard in a few places (not authoritative I believe, it's been a while) that the tendency was to be shorter (due to the stature of the Japanese at the time) and that the 28" to 30" was more of a western thing in the replica market since westerners tended to be larger. Also wonder if the lengthening of the blades in the later period might have been in part due to exposure to longer European blades?

[@StonesSticksBones]

It depends on the time period, the earliest average about 27"-28"+ (& can be indistinguishable from tachi, aside from the position of the signature), then they get a little shorter on average, 24"-ish, in the 16thC, then they get a little longer again Yeah, ones made for the Western market tend to be longer (& tend be quite a bit thinner & lighter overall)

[@eagle162]

Japanese blades for quite a while were longer than their European counterparts, Katana being shorter and Tachi being longer is a modern classification,The blade length was the result of edo period law restrictions, before that blades could be and often were longer, even with the law it change throughout the period and longer blade became popular can again in meiji era. mobile.twitter.com/hokutoandy/status/1078526333301358593 gunbai-militaryhistory.blogspot.com/2019/12/japanese-sword-mythbusting-part-2.html?m=1

[@Meymeygwis]

Another great video thank you! The handle on this sword looks disproportionate to the blade, i.e. a little too short.