Our Passion for Swords

[@UnderstandingDragon]

I got hooked on the Katana in 1980 watching the original Shogun series. It started my martial arts path and I’ve been training seriously ever since 🙂‍↕️🙏

[@thedojomartialarts]

Me too. There is only one Shogun...1980's version (although more cheesy) has much more heart (and way better music) to it.

[@joestorey1217]

I do agree with everything you stated. I have both but my fascination is with the Katana and learning about the sword. The history the art of it from how it’s made and what it ends up being. Thank you

[@thedojomartialarts]

So true, Joe. It is mesmerizing to a few of us who appreciate it and how it was made way back then.

[@johnchipmanseishinaikido1531]

One of the true beauties of each art is the self creation of making movement more efficient.

[@thedojomartialarts]

Very true, John.

[@davidedmon-eq1yp]

I remember watching the Challenge 😊 it was a great movie i still quote line's from it. No one knows what I'm talking about when i hold up my fingers and say 5 day's 😅

[@thedojomartialarts]

Haha. Yes. Great line. It was sad how much of a bad actor Scott Glenn was then. Mifune actually spoke English enough to act out the part. Loved Mifune's sword prowess and physicality. Most don't know that a young Steven Segal worked out the martial arts choreography in that movie.

[@johnchipmanseishinaikido1531]

I truly appreciate both firearms and sword. Certainly, the two are inherently different in function but I would say that in principle, one could argue that the draw of a sidearm to get one shot on target ideally under two seconds is akin to the draw of a katana cutting down an enemy in one stroke.

[@thedojomartialarts]

Agreed. Good observation, John.

[@chrisbanner7551]

🥷🏻I love swords too sensei I have since I was a little kid watching ninja turtles and old kung fu movies , I was always fascinated , I studied kung fu for 12 years trained with all kinds of weapons including the katana ,now I collect and train in my garden with them , I have around 10 swords mainly katana but I also have a " tactical"Gladius inspired by one of your videos actually , I also have a Chinese Jian and a 17 th century rapier I love them all I've taught my daughters from an early age about the sword and what it represents protection and peace they understand it's not a toy but a warriors tool to protect the family and the innocent , I train boken with them outside too they always ask me Daddy can we sword train today 😅 I love your videos and your teachings love from Chris from the UK

[@thedojomartialarts]

Wow. What an amazing Dad, to be able to train them. They will always remember your special time with them outdoors with bokken. Awesome inspiration from Master Chris in the UK!

[@edgyboy831]

I think it is also interesting to consider some other aspects of a self defence scenario some people forget when saying guns are always the be all, end all best option, for example the "21 foot rule". I think most violent encounters which require self defence usually happen as a somewhat surprise, and from a relatively close proximity. Even with an immense amount of training it can be very difficult to quickly and reliably draw a concealed firearm before somebody closes the distance on you if they really mean you violent harm, especially if it snags on clothing, or your hands are shaking from adrenaline, or you don't immediately notice and react to the threat. This is where the physical aspect of martial arts is key even when using firearms, to be able to protect yourself and retain your pistol even if somebody attacks you from a close distance so you you have the chance to present a gun. I live in the UK where we have extremely strict gun and self defence laws, and where knife crime is on the rise each year, so being able to avoid conflict is so important, as is training. Fighting against even an untrained knife wielder is much more difficult than some people realise even with years of full contact sparring training, it only takes 1 unlucky cut in a vital area to spell your end. I see the training in the use of guns as just another form of martial art.

[@thedojomartialarts]

Spot on, my friend. That 21-foot rule is scary (to our advantage with blades in hand). We have tried it many times and it holds pretty true, in general.

[@FloridaMan1976]

I must have been a samurai, ronin or a ninja in a past life. Every since the early 80s I have absolutely love japanese swords. I started my martial arts journey in 7th grade learning Judo, then Shotokan, and now for the past 7yrs American Kenpo. But that's not enough, I needed more lol. So just last year I began training in Toyama Ryu/BattoJutsu, which I absolutely love because I'm learning how to actually use my katana, wakizashi and tanto. Plus I like wearing the traditional hakama uniform. Hmmm 🤔 , maybe I've been becoming the shinobi I thought I was in the 80s all my life lol 🥷

[@fulgurloquentis]

I, too, love wearing my hakama 🙂 tho my mates have warned me of being too weeby lol... But having a regular iaido class to go too gives me an excuse each week for a brief time to imagin myself back in ancient lands, learning the ways of peace, harmony and stillness.

[@thedojomartialarts]

You are living your dream, and that is a great life. Keep up the Toyama Ryu. The benefits of training cannot be underestimated. They are amazing. Happy you found the arts!

[@FloridaMan1976]

@thedojomartialarts I've enjoyed all the the martial arts I've studied over time equally. And recently started trying to blend my katana training in with some of my other techniques. I also like to just free flow with the katana while listening to the audio book of Miyamoto Musashi's Book of Five Rings.

[@jimdellaghelfa8232]

I agree with you 100 percent on everything. Who made the katana you're showing here

[@thedojomartialarts]

I think it might go up for sale on our Ebay shop, perhaps later this week? www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?item=264913829880&hash=item3dae183ff8%3Ag%3AGlMAAOSwWxNY2qz~&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2562&_ssn=thedojomartialarts

[@jimdellaghelfa8232]

@thedojomartialarts ok thanks

[@blackswordshinobi]

It becaues of the spirit of samurai and the shinobi are obpassion with sword compleat us in some way our haert feel some pass stregth that power of the sword has we never know why or how come just we do.....

[@thedojomartialarts]

Yes. The mystical calling to all of us is strong, isn't it?

[@blackswordshinobi]

I also know the gun but in japan it called hojutsu the art of the gun still practies in japan but imbrace the modren tactics but hojutsu go back 1586 and the sword you love sword dont matter you know both as i do...

[@thedojomartialarts]

Yes. I have shot with a real tanegashima. Nothing like the power of it.

[@nickmarcotti8167]

That sword you held in the video, with the gold ito and the full rayskin saya is beautiful! I’d love to see a review of it. Or at least a comment regarding what forge you bought it from. Great video, sir!

[@thedojomartialarts]

www.ebay.com/itm/267119911849?itmmeta=01JHMRSBA1WVZJH8B9HVHJGGBA&hash=item3e319663a9:g:zx4AAOSwpgJnf60k

[@warrennass24]

Hi Mr Norcross, I personally appreciate all weapons both classical and modern I have trained in bo, sai, nunchucku, tinbe and rochin, kama, tanto, tanbo and handgun and of course the sword as well as empty hands. Culturally speaking as an Aussie defending ourselves with weapons is pretty illegal but they are a great training aid. I appreciate all the weapons I have trained but am primarily focusing on the sword. But what I have learnt is that the principles are the same any with the variable being the weapon itself and distance and range.

[@thedojomartialarts]

Thanks for your wisdom and insights, Warren!

[@Scannerhead]

Yes I love ALL weapons leaning towards Asian. Of course Enter The Dragon, Enter the Ninja played a part. Made my first short sword out of a broken in half civil or WW1 sabre, owner had fights with his friend until they broke. I was 12 and used Lol a back part of an axe handle. Then in the early 80's started working at 16 and bought the awesome Cold Steel Master Tanto for around a hundred and thirty bucks (about the same price back then as a nice 38 special). Then of course mail ordered the made in Spain Marto Ninjato sword. Now in my 60's still got the weapons bug. Love the excellent blades that are out nowadays with the super steels still buying when I can afford to !!

[@thedojomartialarts]

Weren't we lucky to be brought up back then when our imaginations were all we needed? That Cold Steel Tanto was so cool back then. Never stop collecting and being a kid, right? Life is better that way. Thanks for sharing!

[@EngineersQuest]

Are you saying that Michael Dudikoff is fake?? You heard Tadashi Yamashita say it himself. "Who is he? He posses great skill!" 😂 Thank you for another great video. I look forward to each and every one.

[@thedojomartialarts]

Oh my. It was such a wonderfully bad movie in so many ways. Poor Yamashita got pulled into that script. I think the military background music was the worst part. Just didn't fit. Dudikoff did at least try his best.

[@EngineersQuest]

@thedojomartialarts 😂 It certainly was bad but it's still a favorite.