On Samurai Swords and Clothing - James Williams Sensei, Nami ryu

[@SystemOfStrategy]

I do not personally like bo-hi. It tends to weaken the blade about 30 percent when resisting lateral pressure and I find that most swords with bo-hi tend to drag in the cut a bit. It does make a lighter blade that balances very well.

[@aeon7986]

What a knowledgeable, passionate guy 👏

[@pauldewar9112]

Mr Williams you are a legend for reviving the AIKUCHI.

[@SharpChronofighter]

Such an interesting video from Sensei Williams. A pleasure to watch!

[@MirrorsBaddly]

Sensei i cannot even fathom at how dangerous and skilled you are, much respect to a man who is patient and so skillful as running water. I enjoy your videos so much in my daily life, wish you came down to florida to do some seminars.

[@SystemOfStrategy]

+Rikudo Sennin Uzumaki I do come to Miami, however Florida is a big state.

[@ronin6016]

Great video, excellent instruction and information, thank you for sharing your knowledge Sensei Williams, God Bless

[@SystemOfStrategy]

Thank you

[@ronin6016]

@@SystemOfStrategy Hope to meet someday, have been a fan for a very long time, I recently was able to acquire your full set of fixed and folding crkt knives, absolutely beautiful, do you have any instructional DVDs, also when will you have your forge folded Katana, Wakizashi and Tanto available my favorite was the Wave set, again thank you for sharing your knowledge glad we have true warriors like you around, God Bless

[@gavkoo]

very good video sir. was never into the swords and martial arts but love outdoors and big knives and want to learn about blades as much as i can. just bought raptor wakizashi to learn with and maybe implement some of the japanese style into my own outdoor blades. very excited about it. big respect to you mr. Williams, would love to meet you one day, maybe at the blade show this year?

[@bushimotter]

I started my self training with giving a shot at wearing the Gi, Obi, and Hakama - and I must say that it seems to have greatly enhanced my current ability. I always feel like I drop a few levels whenever I practice or cut outside of my gear. Thanks for the demonstration, I would really like some more "period" gear some day.

[@oshaughnessyrof5201]

All right mister Williams you’ve sold me I’ll begin training in iaido tomorrow

[@SystemOfStrategy]

Thank you for the nice comments. Iaido is quite a different study.

[@samuelschulman7175]

Samurai EDC, amazing! This is so interesting, thanks, happy Father's day!

[@SystemOfStrategy]

Thank you Samuel

[@AirAdventurer194]

This is fascinating. I had many questions about how samurai wore their daisho (principally because I wear a daisho pair in my Ren Fair costume - don't laugh), and this video is pretty much exactly on point with all the questions I had. Thank you so much, sir!

[@AirAdventurer194]

(I have a stupid question, if you would be so gracious to answer: Is there a technical term for the pair of cords on a katana scabbard that I've seen on many katana that are used to peace-tie the weapon? I can't find a definition/term for it online. I saw in one swordsmanship competition [link following] a sword master have the cords on his scabbard and he had what seemed like an "official" ceremonial way to tuck the cords in his obi, but no one else, for instance, in the competition even had the cords kzbin.info/www/bejne/iGWlZ5uwnLOAra8 Thank you so much, I love your video series.)

[@SystemOfStrategy]

The cord is called Sageo and we do not use them on our saya.

[@SystemOfStrategy]

You are welcome.

[@AirAdventurer194]

Thank you so much! You're the third "Medieval Japan/Samurai" expert of whom I asked that question, and the first/only one to reply; thanks so much!

[@FredEvrardAcademy]

My question (and problem) is: How do you do the Noto when you have both the Katana and the Wakizashi out? Thank you

[@SystemOfStrategy]

I think there is a video on my channel that demonstrates how. A couple of ways, one is to grab the Washi with the thumb and first two fingers of the hand holding the Katana and then wipe the Wakizashi blade. Reverse the Wakizashi from point forward to point back and return it to the Saya using one hand. The Washi is then transferred to the left hand, wipe the blade of the Katana and perform Noto.

[@TheRogue144]

I Must Say, You Are An Amazing Swordsman. One of the Best I Have Seen. :) Please Keep up The Good Work!

[@d_jedi1]

Well, the reverse blade is MOSTLY an invention of anime... but they technically did exist as tanto length blades. I don't know their actual use but I've seen them described as being for cutting grass or hair. I don't know how accurate that is but the examples I have seen WERE historical blades.

[@SystemOfStrategy]

I have seen some reverse blade Tanto in Japan. Cutting throats from behind or, as I teach with small blades used edge up, penetration and retraction are going to facilitate significant more tissue deformity.

[@SystemOfStrategy]

There are a number of styles, especially modern Iaido, that tie the sageo in. I am not mentioning any specifically as there where so many styles in the old days and I don't know anyone who can speak for certainty who did what. Remember that you would be wearing/carrying your sword on a daily basis. When walking a long distance the katana was frequently removed and carried. Dojo work and daily practical application at times have little in common.

[@gifgif]

An advice on where to buy either the hakama-shita kimono or zori? Excellent insight into the garb; thank you sensei.

[@orionbassmaster666]

excellent video Mr Williams , i would like to know if Atemi-waza is applied in your system " nami ryu" and fist conditioning , and if so does it apply only to creating an opening to apply the joint-lock and does conditioning of the fist affects the dexterity of the hand in terms of kenjutsu/ batto.. would appreciate a video in that regard if possible and again thank you for your efforts sensei williams. merry xmass and happy new year eirik nystrom

[@DarkSoul7992]

Thank you so much! Now my training will increase tenfold, keep up these informative videos!

[@tengu190]

Thank you for answering my question about the sageo. I do San Shin Kai MSR and always wondered why various styles used or didn't use the sageo.

[@JujutsuHeiho]

For close range attacks. Such as shoving it through gaps in Armor for example. Or to have a secondary weapon in case the first fails.

[@23Disciple]

3:05 Please, can anyone answer me, why "modern schools" (like Toyama ryu) wear daisho/katana to the center of belly with tsuba? Whats the point? Sorry for my english.

[@SystemOfStrategy]

They are modern, that is probably the best explanation. Samurai wore two swords, it was a badge of their status and also a tactical benefit. If they only wore one it was almost always their kodachi, short sword. If they only had a Katana they still wore it parallel to the body instead of across the body for a number of reasons. If you have worn a sword in public you know that the says needs to be managed to avoid hitting things. We have a substantial body of photography from the late Edo period, starting about 1856, that demonstrates how Samurai wore their swords.

[@23Disciple]

Thank you for answer. I was on few seminars in Europe under Nakagawa Kinji sensei (8. Dan - hanshi Toyama ryu - Morinaga ha) and yes, i was hitting things with saya and i was pretty nervous from it. But what i understood from older students, in Japan is rule "do everything like your sensei do", so i abide this rule.

[@521Life]

I’ve always admired your sword work. I’ve never had a chance to train with you though.

[@SystemOfStrategy]

Thank you. Just finishing up building a dojo in my new home of Bozeman Montana. I will put up pictures on my Facebook pages when it is completed.

[@521Life]

SystemOfStrategy I’d really love to know more about the online classes you are now doing. I’m interested in learning, progression, and legacy (as it relates to being able to pass it on after reaching a certain level). I love Katana. But not really interested in ia or at least ia alone.

[@SystemOfStrategy]

@@521Life The classes on the online dojo start literally from the ground up and include kenjutsu, iaijutsu, jujutsu, with some tanto jutsu and our definiton and application of aiki in these disciplines.

[@521Life]

SystemOfStrategy Ok. How does testing work? Is it also online? I went to the page, but I don’t see much info about it. I am currently 5 Dan Aiki, I hold dan rankings in two other arts. I really am looking to learn, grow and develop others in my region (Caribbean) with which to train, practice and pass on.

[@uonadtehrrocks]

I think its hilarious how popular the "reverse blade sword" is that he even has to mention it lol

[@dylanjantz1]

uonadtehrrocks I can't believe there are people who thought the reverse blade sword was anything more than fiction. Lol. That would never be practical

[@nubetube2443]

Reverse blades where a thing they where just small blades though kinda like the size of a dagger

[@chrispysaid]

​@@nubetube2443 Okay "Nube Tube" I believe you

[@d_jedi1]

@@chrispysaid he's correct though. I'm not sure of the correct term for them or what they were ACTUALLY used for but they're often described as being used for cutting grass or hair. The blades are SHORT. 8-10 inches max.

[@AGC828]

Nice brief intro and information. But if the "Ninja sword" was made for film...did the actual ninja's also use Katana's? Same swords and knives the Samurai's used? As for a ninja sticking out...the idea of a ninja I thought was covert operations. Attacking in the darkness of the night. Though, I'm sure they did operations in the day...in that case yes they wouldn't wear the black ninja uniforms we know from film.

[@SystemOfStrategy]

Too much for a KZbin really however you want to look like anything but a clandestine operator so you use what other people use depending upon what you are trying to accomplish. There were swords of a lot of shapes and sizes in feudal japan however no definitive "Ninja" sword. Black is not the best color at night unless you are in an environment were everything else is black.

[@tomektt5343]

Turned subtitles on: daishō = die show :D Anyway, very interesting and educating video, thanks for uploading !

[@SystemOfStrategy]

You are welcome

[@asa_2117]

Very interesting. Could I ask you to further elaborate on how your cutting technique varies from the common pulling motion? Does the length of the tsuka play a major role in this? I noticed that you tend to prefer a very long tsuka compared to other schools which use very short tsuka. I really appreciate your answering my questions.Thank you very much.

[@NikosKatsikanis]

amazing work

[@Bigboss5]

Another explanation I give when talking about wearing traditional clothing, or even gi is that it puts you in the right frame of mind to train. It's that switch that turns you onto training mode. It makes you want to train and therefore you take your training seriously. The only way to get better is to train with sincerity. Could one take the training as seriously in regular workout clothes? Easily. There is something psychospiritual about the traditional clothing.

[@SystemOfStrategy]

Shirasaya, resting scabbard, is basically a saya for storing, resting, the blade when it is not mounted and being used.

[@MrBrawlerkid]

@SystemOfStrategy Are there any styles that you know of that wear katanas and wakizashi with their edges facing down? I am very curious about it, since I see many old paintings depicting samurai wearing their swords with their edges facing down, and they have no armor, just some old version of a kimono

[@SystemOfStrategy]

The skill and experience of the person using the blade makes a significant difference. If the hasuji is correct and the cutting mechanics as well than the pressures on your blade are within its tolerances. The pulling motion that is so common these days is not how we cut.

[@sandernielsen8018]

Question: How much movement would the samurai have when wearing all of those layers of clothing, when compared to the Bang Rajan warriors of Ayutthaya or the Visayan warriors of Mactan who was wearing mere loinclothes and thus had had more freedom of movement ?

[@NiirTheRaccoon]

Sander Nielsen While it does look like a lot of clothing, the amount he has on now would provide you with a completely normal range of movement. I would say that, at least without the swords, you could move in any way that you could while - say, naked. Samurai would often wear more over top of their hakama though, which would be shed for more movement when initiating in combat.

[@SystemOfStrategy]

Classical training can be difficult to come by. Make plans to attend a seminar if you can. My classical training has always involved a good bit of travel.

[@WilliamMerzlak]

How does one tie an Obi belt underneath the Hakama? If tied the traditional way, it would create an uncomfortable bulge when the Hakama is tied would it not? The reason I ask is I've got a Juban, Yoroi Hitatare, Waraji sandals and a full suit of Akai Oni armor made by Iron Mountain Armory as well as a sashiri belt which goes on over the armor. But armor aside. I've been trying to find online, Whether the obi belt was worn around the kimono under the hakama and how it was tied before buying one.

[@zedman6547]

Paul shin has a video on this you should look him up here on the tube

[@SystemOfStrategy]

Williams, I will try and do a video on the proper tying of the obi. It is a flat knot, called cockleshell (you can look up the Japanese word for that it escapes me at the moment), and does not use much pressure on the tie. We wear ours over our kidney or a bit forward of that, and not directly in back as it makes it much easier to roll.

[@seikibrian8641]

+ William Merzlak "How does one tie an Obi belt underneath the Hakama? If tied the traditional way, it would create an uncomfortable bulge when the Hakama is tied would it not?" It depends on what you mean by "the traditional way." If you mean the way a modern Karate or Judo obi is tied, that's not the traditional way to tie the wide kaku obi that's worn under a hakama. (And there's more than one way to tie those.) Here's one way: www.shimazakura.com/How-to-tie-men-s-obi-s/78.htm Then, when donning the hakama, the waistband of the hakama is not worn level; it is worn lower in the front and higher in the back, so that the back is higher than the knot of the obi. See: www.kyudo.com/hakama.gif Another method of tying (actually "tucking") the kaku obi yields a very flat knot in the back, but it is a sort of okuden (hidden teaching) of certain schools, so I won't share it here; but this might whet your appetite for a little research on your part that might turn up something interesting about these alternate methods.

[@Jdmsword14]

greetings sensei williams, thank you for making so many great videos i enjoy watching and supplementing my training. Recently i obtained my first katana and while i really love it i was thinking about getting something shorter, i used to have a wakazashi but gave it to a family member as a gift. I was thinking about looking into a kodachi, i like the shorter blade but it is a bit longer than the waka, any thoughts?

[@asa_2117]

I have a question about that Dragonfly katana that you are holding at the beginning of the video. It seems marketed as a light cutter on Bugei's website, but I have seen videos of you using it to cut through some rather substantial looking rolls of mats. Would you say then that it can facilitate heavier cutting if the user is experienced enough? I very much enjoy your videos, and please keep posting them!

[@BrianAthens]

I am learning Shinkendo, and I would like to ask where one may secure the proper dress as you demonstrate here?

[@joeygraves6586]

That kind of attire was more fitting of an outing rather than used for training purpose. I would suggest you check with your sensei first what attire your class uses and seek permission if you are able to wear this kind of traditional attire in class. But if it for out of class, then you can try famous iaito shops like tozando or yamato bodogu, they probably have something of those sorts. Most Shinkendo classes uses aikido attire so we dont have to pull back our sleeves. And it seems like Obata sensei likes to wear single weave aikido/Judo Gi with hakama.

[@Darren_Tay]

You can try to buy from kimono yukata market.

[@SystemOfStrategy]

Bugei Trading Company should be able to help you with the attire.

[@trinitycombativeconceptsje6122]

I found out that their were slightly curved swords basically straight and shorter. Also there is such thing as ninja-to but and i say but ninja had no specific sword but their are straight (slightly) curved swords. love your skill Sensei James Williams

[@ClarkesonTheMarksman]

HI James. Could you possibly put up a review of your crane katana? And just out of curiousity is the crane katana on the lighter side weight wise? Thank you

[@SystemOfStrategy]

The Blade Show is in Atlanta at the Cobb Galleria.

[@Coffeetronics]

Which katana is Sensei Williams wearing in this video? That is a huge curve in the katana, I imagine it would be very useful for tameshigiri.

[@SystemOfStrategy]

Tachi were worn edge down. Katana were worn edge up. I have not seen any prints that show katana being worn edged down, if you have some I would be interested in seeing them.

[@dofu4you]

Sensei Williams ~ Great Info. about the real aspects of carrying and drawing Swords.

[@SystemOfStrategy]

Thank you.

[@SystemOfStrategy]

Kodachi and wakizashi are basically synonymous terms. They range from about 13" nagassa to 20" or so. Find one that suits you and perhaps a hamadashi mount for the smaller tsuba.

[@lukaku2095]

Informative and clear. Thank you

[@bigrobnz]

What a cool video!!! thanks, enjoyed it alot!!

[@bahamu]

Great video! Question for you though. You mentioned movement was being so important (which I agree with), so why didn't you mention footwear? Personally, I hate wearing zouri. Your thoughts on them and now they effect movement?

[@orionbassmaster666]

but dear sensei don't you think if the fist or fingers were properly conditioned ( nothing extreme ) wouldn't that be a better medium to deliver the strike? eg, if i have a weak thumb i wouldn't be able to target the ribs effectively to create an opening to perform the joint lock/choke extra? sorry am just quite curious as to our system ( shindo yoshin ryu) does not instruct us to condition our limbs for atemi and i personally got weak joints and sensitive knuckles and thank you

[@afogn]

Hello Sensei. what katana and is that you are using here?

[@SystemOfStrategy]

The Dragonfly katana from Bugei Trading Company.

[@mkultraification]

Were there pockets sewn into the inside of the sleeves?

[@luigiviking3667]

were can i get the outfit what is it is it just a kendo uniform im really trying to learn this art ebay i think but ya is it just a kendo uniform and how do you pick out the right Japanese sandals and socks i want the real thing for cosplay and to really learn this art the art of the sword

[@zoobie1033]

What Katana is that ? and whats the Sori on it? looks like it has a deep Sori, what is your preference Katana/Sori?

[@travisgordon317]

Where could I purchase a kimono like yours for a reasonable price?

[@johna6442]

Excellent very interesting and informative

[@aHigherPower]

Excellent video. Thank you.

[@dailygodzgift]

Nice vid helpful I love it I was playing way of the samurai 3 and wanted to learn more about y they wore this stuff

[@TheRogue144]

Where exactly is the Blade show in Nashville?

[@hybridcooler123]

Hi systemofstrategy i have a question here. Is the shirasaya sword( no tsuba) also a fantasy thing and which one is better the shirasaya or the normal katana?

[@pauldewar9112]

I will look forward to owning one soon.

[@orionbassmaster666]

only tachi's and odachi are worn with their blade down ( sometimes on the back for odachi/nodachi) , thats what sensei Inoue Kyoichi Munenori told us once

[@SystemOfStrategy]

Thank you for the nice comments. I will be at Blade please come up and introduce yourself.

[@SystemOfStrategy]

Zori, Geta, and Waraji were the normal footwear. Waraji are the easiest to move in and with the others you always had the option of getting out of your footwear. I live in Southern California and have been wearing "Zori" since the 1960's so I am used to them.

[@JapanNinjutsu]

Very nice and educational video. Thanks

[@Ch33no]

Can I get a Katana , that I could trust to use in a sword fight, for $500? Or would I have to spend much more to get something battle ready?

[@SystemOfStrategy]

Eric Atemi waza is an integral aspect of Nami ryu. We do not however condition our fists as say some Karate or Kungfu systems.

[@justinprather8846]

More often then not ninja, or shinobi, would use a wakazishi in a katana tsuka and saya, this way they could wear there closed quarters sword without arising suspicion. On missions it would be a wakizashi blade in a katana tsuka and wakizashi saya if confrontation was expected, or probably even a wakizashi or tanto in much more covert situations.

[@2110maxime]

is there à Kind of pocket into the sleeves ?

[@SystemOfStrategy]

+2110maxime The way the sleeves are made they can, and were, used as pockets.

[@2110maxime]

+SystemOfStrategy ok thank you

[@zainabe9503]

A question, how long is the nagasa in your wakizashi here? Is 43 cm (including the habaki) is considered too short for tactical combat?

[@SystemOfStrategy]

So what you have is a ko-wakizashi and that is fine. Measure the Nagassa from the moon machi to the tip of the kissaki.

[@zainabe9503]

Thank you so much for the answer Mr. Williams! I was afraid it would be too short and considered adding 5 cm, but the blade is already forged and on process.

[@SystemOfStrategy]

That should read Mune, and you are welcome.

[@SystemOfStrategy]

The short sword was not created for the Ninja. The "modern" Ninjato (ninja sword) has no historical basis.

[@nesking3115]

James Williams System Of Strategy I would say at best the historical “Chokuto”is probably the closest thing in Japanese history in appearance to the modern day interpretation of the fictional “Ninjato”..

[@Bigboss5]

Sensei, when you say that some arts do use the sageo to tie the katana into the obi, are you referring to the hasegawa eishin ryu branches?

[@justinprather8846]

Of course, but both the Ishin Shishi and bakufu started wearing baldrics during that war, obviously it isn't much different but surely it changed the tsuka ate.

[@justinprather8846]

What about during the bakumatsu war when samurai wore western clothes and baldrics? This really only accounts for mid Edo period use. Sure there was revision of technique to accommodate these changes, but no schools seem to teach it.

[@SystemOfStrategy]

Max, that depends upon a number of factors, mine are usually between 2 3/4 and 3 pounds.

[@ChristopherCDaniels]

Excellent video, thank you Sensei!

[@zoobie1033]

Hi James whats are the specs of the katana you are using here? sori, nagasa, and tsuka? thanks

[@hootooncoi4199]

Thank you for showing in ur video how to tie a taske rope (sageo) around sleeves. like!

[@JegJurel]

the closest reproduction to a historical "ninjato" would have to be the Cheness Oniyuri. straight swords were not generally used in medieval japan.

[@TheRogue144]

Are You Doing any Seminars That would be Close to Kentucky or Ohio?

[@Bigboss5]

please don't be offended by sensei's definition. Martial arts has a very specific meaning for him. Karate was practiced primarily by ryukyu aristocracy before becoming the art of farmers and fishermen. it was a self defense combative which by sensei's definition, is not the prime directive of a warrior. as a former practitioner of karate and tae kwon do, I can assure you sensei meant no offense to karate or those who practice it.

[@jeremyclark3049]

I WILL(one day) own a Bugei katana from Mr. Williams and co.!!

[@Bigboss5]

I would like to point out, sensei, that the fan was also a very good feudal era post-it note.

[@SystemOfStrategy]

I will teaching in Nashville on the 3rd and 4th of June after the Atlanta Blade Show. There is information on that seminar on my System of Strategy facebook page. You are welcome to attend.

[@SystemOfStrategy]

I show a couple of different swords however I thing that you are referring to the swords in Nami ryu koshirae, they are not available to the public. I prefer a deep sori on my blades.

[@SystemOfStrategy]

The kimono that I am wearing in this video came from Japan. Reasonable is a relative term and the Yen to Dollar ratio is not good at present. Contact Susanne at Bugei Trading Company and she can help you out.

[@парадикенс]

How much should weigh katana? Thank you.

[@mercenarybdu]

It makes sense when the Samurai were on regular peace time patrol. But out of all your videos, you never talk and demo the swords being worn with the armor. We understand you are an expert in the field. But is it possible to make that video anytime soon?

[@SystemOfStrategy]

No armor big enough to fit me.

[@mercenarybdu]

Have you checked with Brian Snoddy? He collects Samurai armor, and would be happy to help you out with that issue.

[@SystemOfStrategy]

Most Samurai armor would fit my wife. At 6'2" and have not seen armor remotely big enough.

[@theaafesoperator]

SystemOfStrategy genpai armor fit bigger people, but it's an older breed of samurai. I want to get 1800s samurai armor(bosin war)

[@SystemOfStrategy]

The Bakumatsu was the end of the era of the Samurai and the entire culture went through an enormous change.

[@SystemOfStrategy]

The more curved katana is one of our Nami ryu koshirae blades. They do have substantial sori.

[@michaeldellinger3377]

I like your video are so good

[@SystemOfStrategy]

The tsuka is not the factor here. It is about cutting from the center and carrying that into the enemy to gather him, kuzushi, for the brief moment that it takes to cut him without being cut. Nature is a merciless arbiter.

[@парадикенс]

What can you say about katana Cold Steel?

[@SystemOfStrategy]

For Nami ryu yes it is necessary. It is very difficult to train properly without the proper clothing. You need to wear the swords properly etc and cannot do that in a gi.

[@joeyjackyboykirkpatrick1499]

personally do you like a bo-hi in your katanas?

[@SystemOfStrategy]

Most swords are order items however there is often stock available. Contact Susanne at Bugei and she can help you.

[@SystemOfStrategy]

That is difficult. While video can be beneficial it is not possible to learn these classical arts without hands on instruction. The arts are designed to be hidden so what you see and how it is done is quite different. Andrew Thoburn hand contact me about a seminar in the UK however I do not have more information at this point in time.

[@russell28533]

James Williams is the Obi Wan Kenobi of Samurai.

[@luizdiaz5196]

Fascinating!

[@igottrix2836]

Excellent, thank you.

[@YamamotoKazuo]

Actually the ninja's sword was not exactly straight. The ninja's sword had a relatively straighter blade due to the village blacksmith not have the state of the art equipment to make a properly curved blade.

[@SystemOfStrategy]

The sleeves are sewn half way up so in a sense you could call them pockets.