Why Katana Are Handed the Most Dangerous Way Possible

[@LetsaskShogo]

●Check out my most recommended katana shop in Kyoto, Japan tozandoshop.com/ ●The KZbin video that I talked about handing katana: Taboo You Must Avoid at a Katana Shop kzbin.infolT_K8V1hCXI?feature=share ▼Who is Shogo? What is this channel about?▼ kzbin.info/www/bejne/pJmokqB-m9-sr8k ▼Related videos in this channel▼ -A Must-watch Before Buying Katana or Training Iaido/Battodo kzbin.info/www/bejne/rKXXfoujds2Znsk -Why I Will Never Buy Katana From Websites Overseas kzbin.info/www/bejne/nZ2yqptsjMt_q7c -What Does a Japanese Katana Trainee Think About Mini Katana’s Videos? kzbin.info/www/bejne/bYvTm3urnLKpkJI ▼MY DREAM▼ kzbin.info/www/bejne/e5jSqHyMlNCUnaM “To make every Japan lovers’ dream come true, by making Japan a more secure, comfortable, and safer place for everyone to visit, study, and live in” I will be using the profit I gain from this channel at restaurants, hotels, and cultural facilities in Kyoto to introduce them. The more you watch the videos on this channel, Kyoto and Japan will become a more exciting place, and you can support your own and others’ dreams in the future even more. ●Please support me through Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/letsaskshogo My goal now is to raise money to become a Japanese language instructor! I promise you that I will become the best teacher who not only teaches Japanese, but is also familiar with Japanese history and traditional culture. ▼Join our Membership▼ kzbin.info/door/n7DCb9ttrcw9h3vh9dfnVwjoin ●Membership benefits -Limited behind-the-scene videos -Weekly Zoom call or live stream -Priority reply to comments ▼[Sub-channel] “Shogo’s Podcast”▼ kzbin.info/door/ZAe1VayWxp5NLO4Net78DA Please subscribe!! The perfect channel to learn about Japanese culture and history in your spare time, during your walk to school or work, and when you are cooking or doing house chores. Not only will I be covering the topics in this main channel, but also some topics that you will only be able to enjoy in the sub-channel, like answering questions I receive, and my opinions towards some of the comments. ▼Kazu and Tomoko's KZbin Channel | Don't ask Tomoko & Kazu▼ kzbin.info/door/AD_DKJq0q2Rh3YKerufUqg ▼Places recommended to visit in Kyoto | "Kyoto Hidden Gems" series▼ kzbin.info/aero/PLpIWoYf9KNFU7LIIFB0P_reDt_oMdkCOq ▼Instagram▼ instagram.com/lets_ask_shogo/ *Please ask me questions through the DM here!（⚠I do not use e-mail）

[@lucashenry6281]

European swords are handled similarly, kinda. The handle is presented to the person you’re returning the sword to, showing trust. The actual manner in which it’s done is dependent on context.

[@bryanabbott6169]

Considering there is a proper way of handing a katana to another person, I'd have to assume there is a proper way to receive the katana as well. Any chance of a follow up video demonstrating this? Whether it's for safety reasons or to demonstrate respect for the person handing over the katana and the sword itself, it would be nice to know.

[@feral_shade]

I ask, "why?" all the time. Upon reflection, I think it's because everything is, to some degree, interconnected. By understanding the things of which we are aware, we also understand things of which we are unaware. Eventually, the more we ask, "Why?", the more perceptive we become to larger important truths.

[@Tazer_Silverscar]

I'm glad there is an explanation for this one, there's so many things in Japan that just don't have any reason 😅

[@aaftiyoDkcdicurak]

I think I would prefer the grip with one hand on the bottom and the other hand bracing the tsuba with the thumb and pointer finger. Probably because I would also prefer a larger sword.

[@paultemple5042]

As my Father who learned Aikijiujutsu in Japan once told me. " When one is learning ' How ', they are becoming a Master. When one is learning ' Why ', they are becoming a Grandmaster. "

[@LetsaskShogo]

That’s a very beautiful saying✨

[@paultemple5042]

@@LetsaskShogo Arigato Shogo. I'm studying Japanese so I can come to Japan and apologize for my Grandfather's mistake.

[@Big-BossX]

​@@paultemple5042 what mistakes?

[@shinomakichuppy8236]

​@@Big-BossX Sounds like he's from the States.

[@Theorof]

I guess it turns out that people have already figured this problem out over the 800+ years of Japanese swords. Interesting. 🤔

[@spectruum]

Truly a surprise.

[@victoriazero8869]

Yeah but that's appeal to authority and not a reasonable take either. Without people questioning him, Shogo wouldn't have reason to make this video quickly and explain how and why the tradition came to be. This way, more people get properly educated. Insisting "It's just works", as Shogo explained, is one of the reason why Japan is failing to keep up in modern times. Explaining how it works, and searching IF there is a better way, is the way.

[@Theorof]

@@victoriazero8869 for something that harms, oppresses, or inflicts suffering on people I totally agree. But, this is not that. In this case there is no need to reinvent the wheel. It works exactly as intended without hurting anyone.

[@Blackmuseops]

Surprised pikashu was never more appropriate

[@manabellum]

@@victoriazero8869 I think the opposite. I’ve never seen any manual explain more thoroughly than Japanese user manual.

[@KaoruMzk]

I mean, handing it the way you showed on the short did make sense to me. It’s basically the same as handing a kitchen knife. The only thing that confused me a bit was, why not put it back in the sheath first, but then someone replied to me that, in a shop, you’re given the katana unsheathen to avoid damaging it, which also makes perfect sense.

[@khalilahd.]

Yeah that makes sense

[@paulduarte-noe178]

Theres a reason for doing it during training also. In my dojo we do cutting drills a couple times a year and often share shinken (sword for cutting) because not everyone owns one. When cutting, the blade gets moisture on it from the bamboo or cutting mats. We would need to clean it before returning it to the sheath so the moisture doesn't transfer to the inside and cause mold to grow there. It makes more sense to hand the sword like this throughout class and then clean and return it to the sheath only once, at the end.

[@davepowers3194]

To shine a bit of light, in European countries, you generally hand over a sword/knife handle first, holding the blade (generally gripping the flat), kitchen knives are often passed with the blade pointed down. I understand where the commenters were coming from, having been taught to observe the above mentioned practice, but the fact that the Japanese method is still used means it must work well enough to keep the giver and recipient safe.

[@empress2529]

do you have sword?

[@gregsquire9704]

That's interesting about kitchen knives. I usually hand any exposed blade knife via handle first holding the blade.

[@ambulocetusnatans]

@@gregsquire9704 Kitchen knives are often made of stainless steel; swords are not.

[@gregsquire9704]

@@ambulocetusnatans i understand how swords are made. i am merely commenting on the fact that i have never heard of handing a knife point down. usually just handle toward the person while holding the flat of the blade. swords and such i always heard as being handed flat, two handed and hilt toward the individual. his video about the katana is very interesting.

[@davepowers3194]

@@gregsquire9704 I was speaking from my experience, everyone has their own way

[@abeldasilva9368]

Shogo I am a new Iaido practitioner it’s been 3 month’s so far.I asked my Senpai if he could test my Iaido for kiri oroshi so I handed him the katana in same manner that you did in your video.He was surprised that I did it right . Thank you so much for covering this subject.

[@LetsaskShogo]

That’s great to hear😍

[@JAB6322]

For once, lets just trust Shogo when we see him handle his katanas. He has stated many of times that he is trained in Iaido so all of these is just basic katana handling etiquette that works, like how gun owners know the basic etiquette of handling guns (Finger off the trigger until ready to shoot, treat every gun as if its loaded, etc.)

[@victoriazero8869]

Yeah but that's appeal to authority and not a reasonable take either. Without people questioning him, Shogo wouldn't have reason to make this video quickly and explain how and why the tradition came to be. This way, more people get properly educated.

[@ratman262]

@@victoriazero8869 "aPpEaL tO aUtHoRiTy" yes you should listen to people who objectively know more than you about things they have devoted lots of time to studying. This should not be a controversial position.

[@victoriazero8869]

And before anyone @me again, remember that "ItJuSTworks" and "Ithasbeendonethisway" was the reason for Japanese keep lagging behind the times. SHOGO HIMSELF SAID IT.

[@keric3730]

Inquiring minds like to know. And look, we were gifted a lovely new post

[@ColdNapalm42]

Except that this is the OPPOSITE gun owners advocating for safe practices. His main arguments is that it is safe when EVERYTHING is going right. along with it's just tradition and it's always been done this way. The reason that those of us who do western sword martial arts hand swords pointed down is that because when something DOES NOT go right...maybe even catastrophically so and you lose complete grip control on the sword, it is MUCH safer if the sword is pointed down and not up with the blade pointed towards a person no less. In fact the edges shouldn't be facing anyone either. In fact this would be the equivalent of handing a gun to somebody with the barrel pointed at either you or the other person and going it's fine because I always keep it unloaded and it's how we have always done it. Unsafe is unsafe...PERIOD.

[@linzhou8434]

That's how I was taught to hand a European sword to someone as well, the reason being we always want to be aware of where the edges and point of the sword are, so it should be pointed up where both sides can see the blade clearly. Especially for double edged European swords, both sides have to be aware of each step of the transfer so nothing unexpected happens.

[@Talon18136]

It’s the same with firearms always transfer it with the action open and unloaded and facing in a way so both sides can see that it is safe to handle

[@SaintShion]

THANK YOU I tried to explain this correctly as possible in the shorts comments but a lot of people still didn't understand katana etiquette.

[@ambulocetusnatans]

It seems like common sense now, but when I look back on how many mistakes I made as a beginner, I guess it's not common.

[@Ilovechickenssss]

Just curious what if you hold it upwards but the blade is facing the side

[@ambulocetusnatans]

@@Ilovechickenssss That would be adequate from a safety standpoint, but it would be like saying "I don't really trust you", and would be considered very rude.

[@Ilovechickenssss]

@@ambulocetusnatans oh so it's like that... I see. So it's safe but it's rude?

[@leodouskyron5671]

This was great one because you did show why it worked and the sense behind it. I know it shows my age but when I came up a lot of things like this were just how it is traditionally done or in media was phrased “the mysterious ways of the east” (if you hear that term worry) and that was it. Showing it makes sense gives it a validity that I find refreshing. That said, not talking about the Katana, I had swords and knives we handed them handle facing to the person you were giving them to. So the method you showed was not that much difference and having your strong fingers on the handle made sense. So thank you very much.

[@JayJayJay83]

Thank you Shogo! Proper katana etiquete is important to know! :) It’s great to know the reasoning behind it.

[@DragonTypeTrainer]

Seeing Shogo and his wife so happy and smiley is the best part of any episodes

[@LetsaskShogo]

😍😍😍

[@rolandgdean]

This Japanese aversion to asking, "Why?" could be why we don't know the original "bunkai" for so many katas in the Japanese martial arts. For many years in many styles, students were taught katas without knowing WHY certain movements were important or what their purpose in actual fights were. In SOME katas, there is still debate over certain movements as to whether they were originally intended to "receive" a blow or to punch. There is just such a strong, "Do as I say without question." attitude in a dojo, even here in the U.S. some times. Interesting thought to ponder.

[@paultemple5042]

I believe that the student is not told why because they will have to use their skills to adapt to each situation, and since each situation can be unique, it requires actions that are unique to that situation, if your actions become predictable then then at some point so will you and it will be harder to achieve Victory over an opponent. And so each ' Master ' makes the Art their own.

[@littlegiantrobo6523]

There was some time in the early half of the 20th century where the teachings needed to kept a secret as it was outlawed to practice them in public. I'm sure this contributed to some knowledge being lost and a strong encouragement towards students no to talk too much about it.

[@angelsjoker8190]

​@@paultemple5042 OP is right though. In a lot of styles the Bunkai application of many parts of their Katas is lost. If you ask the teachers for the application, often they will tell you an application that looks plausible on first glance, but it you pressure test it with a life Uke, it doesn't work at all. But if you do some research and are lucky, you may find the actual application and, i.e., it turns out a certain movement is not a defensive block against an incoming punch but an offensive frame in close quarters and all of a sudden the movement is totally applicable under pressure even in modern settings like an MMA fight.

[@giantdad1661]

This is gonna sound cheesy but there are somethings you just have to feel and experience. I ride a motorcycle and there are some things I learned through accident. Like using the backbreak to purposely go into a skid just to let it go and let the bike lurch back up. It became instinct to let go of the back break if I go into a back tire skid ,but knowing when you should do it was the part I had to learn for myself.

[@overlorddante]

@@paultemple5042 but knowing the why allows for more adaptability

[@crodd92]

Thanks for explaining why you hand katanas like this and even showing why the other options aren't always the best. I never held a sharp katana only medieval and katana that are blunt swords for stunt acting in my local Renaissance Faire.

[@lastnamefirstname8655]

thanks for all of the clarifications, shogo. i personally thought that the short was explained well enough, but this helped to really prove the point.

[@LetsaskShogo]

I am very glad you say so!✨

[@MidnightSmoke]

Thank you for clarifying the tradition and the proper way to handle a katana.

[@temporalinsanity]

interesting. in teaching archery i get similar comments/questions. i think there's a lot of misconception out there due to people just assuming they know things because they consume popular media and have that as their only reference. even with my 7-ish years teaching and 12 years of practice sometimes i don't have an answer as to "why" and will definitely have to research and think of why that is. sometimes it just "is", but usually safety things there's always a reason.

[@pathevermore3683]

i mean, why do you let the bow fall forward after you shoot.

[@ColdNapalm42]

@@pathevermore3683 Because the force of gripping a bow tight increases the shaking of the bow which lowers accuracy. So for target archery, you want the bow steadied with as least force as possible which means when the tension of the arrow release happens the bow fall forwards and you catch takes over.

[@pathevermore3683]

@@ColdNapalm42 interesting, thanks. i had wondered about that.

[@mapachecomunista6276]

When he let go of the katana for a second, my soul left my body, got an education, secured a career, fell in love, got married, started a family, watched its kids grow up, grew old itself, died, resurrected, started a cult around itself and got betrayed by one of it's followers who sent it back to my body.

[@r1pbuck]

1:38 -- I have that book! Every serious admirer of the Katana ought to own a copy. My own school [Aikido with a strong Iai component] teaches something _slightly_ different, but the same in essence. We hold the katana with the right hand close to the tsuba, and the left hand supporting or cupping the kashira [the end of the handle]. We also turn the blade slightly so the edge isn't directly toward the holder. The person _receiving_ the katana takes the kashira end with his _left_ hand, and then places his _right_ hand on the handle in the proper place when the donor releases it. It works for us.

[@manabellum]

Shogo mentioned a bit of handling gun. But it’s a bit different. When we hand over a gun we make sure the muzzle is pointed away from anyone and that the load condition is clear (slide locked back and without magazine or cylinder open, in addition to treating as if it’s loaded). So if you have knowledge about gun both party can visually see that the gun cannot be any harm. But Kanata still have sharp blade attached when handle so it should be treated a bit more carefully.

[@angelsjoker8190]

Yes, that's what I was thinking at that moment. You would NEVER hand over a gun with the muzzle pointed at yourself (or in any direction with people). The difference between a gun and a sword is that not the muzzle is what's dangerous but what comes out of the muzzle. With a sword, the edge itself is the dangerous part.

[@deathsheir2035]

@@angelsjoker8190 Which is why it is better to know where that edge is, than to have the edge in a place you cannot easily see.

[@jackbartlett5460]

Back in the 1950's my family lived in Hawaii for a few years, and us kids learned to handle the (toy) Katana this way. The toy's were very well made replicas from Japan and some had hard wood or plastic blades, and the more expensive one's had pot-metal blades.

[@LittleBlueHenSoap]

Thank you for sharing your wisdom again Shogo san. Harumi is looking beautiful as always. I treat my iaito as if it was a real katana. I did have a situation where someone just grabbed my iaito off it's rest without asking me first and unsheathed it like a mad person. It was awkward to say the least! 😵‍💫🤦🏼‍♀

[@LetsaskShogo]

Wow that would be super awkward😨

[@windgods1414]

Thanks!

[@stuartcoyle1626]

Have any of the people who made comments actually handled a katana? I'm a iaijutsu student and it's a fine way to pass a katana. Thank you Shogo for the video explaining the reasons.

[@bobjoatmon1993]

Yes And a Knochenbrecher, an 11th Century Viking Sword, a 1860 Cavalry Sabre, and a 17th Century Italian rapier. I also have a nice tanto gifted to me (before the cheap commercial stuff flooded the market) while in Japan in 1974 but that's not a sword.

[@curtismiller4794]

An amazing & entertaining and educational video I've discovered here. In addition your videos are always fun to watch, & I often learn new information on the Japanese culture from them. Further more I hope you continue to make more videos & I appreciate you & your team of friends, family & coworkers for sharing yours & the Japanese people's life stories.

[@ori-arts]

I appreciate how you explained everything properly. I'm seeing comments questioning the intelligence of people asking the question of how it seems to be dangerous, and I have to disagree. A lot of us can't actually get a hold of a real katana, definitely not yet, and that's why we're on youtube To Be Informed, you know? I think the questions are valid, I also thought the same tbh. Thank you very much for explaining and showing it all yet again, Shogo ^^

[@sstasmania486]

If you point the katana down your just literally breaking your floor

[@0Bonaparte]

So all of this is great information! I figured all of my questions had answers because martial traditions do not have no purpose when it comes to weapons especially. I do want to expand on something Shogo said on the thumb versus the pinky strength wise. The reason it is hard to press on the top is indeed bone structure, your wrist is not able to bend towards your thumb enough to cause such an angle as would be needed. The reason the pinky is weaker is actually also bone structure. Your hand is better at collapsing that way. A big reason reverse grip is not feasible for “defense” is because your wrist is not skeletally as strong on that side! This is something I am sure that Shogo knows, especially as he mentioned it in passing but I wanted it to be more clear for those who do not exist in such spaces!

[@thetattoodmini]

i love the in depth look at katana history and etiquette.

[@stevenbolstridge596]

As you’ve shown in this video, at my dojo we pass our iaito to each other with both hands on the tsuka, one at the bottom and one at the top with the ha facing towards ourselves.

[@zombiesithblade1579]

Kitchen and chef knives are pointed downward when carrying them around to minimize injury. Guess that was why people were asking about that.

[@eyeballpapercut4400]

That face in the thumbnail gotta be the most cursed Shogo face that I've ever seen

[@eliasbram3710]

beautifully explained, it explained the richness of a simple action like passing an particular object to someone, there are safer ways? possibly, but this way is more poetic without compromising safety

[@hanchiman]

Basically those ancient samurai (from Heian period) who already used and handle a katana or tachi already thought about what is dangerous or not dangerous when handle a katana, e.g. Like not holding the blade pointing downwards.

[@DCG909]

I was thinking about handeling it sideways, but didn't take the rust into account, likely due to expecting sword care to be a thing when storing it again. But yea, most parts made perfect sense.

[@blackknightjack3850]

Seeing him try to hold the blade sideways just made my fingers feel like they were getting chopped off. That'd probably be MY biggest fear

[@Desdemona-XI]

In some cases european swords are presented that way or held by the blade, especially in fiction, but the real examples often involve the sword presenter wearing gloves or gauntlets. And in all cases are done this way to show utmost respect fealty and trust to the person you're handing the sword to. Blade down handoffs are done sometimes but are generally considered bad form and unsafe as its easier for either person to grab the pommel and tilt the blade into someones body. however they can be handed off quickly that way. Not unlike handing someone a pistol by the barrel, they can grab it quickly and get it ready to go fast, but can also just grab it and shoot you in the gut before you let go. Generally a difference I notice is the katana is treated as more sacred, a sword is treated as a tool which your life depends on, but still just a tool, its handled with care and respect of the damage it can cause and the need for it to be kept functional, but not reverence. Though some schools of teaching do preach that one must have a similar reverence to their weapon, they dont necessarily take it as far in practice.

[@exploshaun]

In my opinion, the second holding position where one hand is at the cross guard and the other is at the base looks safest, since it’s a position for heavier katanas, and there’s still enough room in the grip for the owner to grab it.

[@thevictoryoverhimself7298]

It would be cool to see a video about the laws of owning Japanese swords. Like can you just walk in public with one? Do you need training? Is there a registry?

[@ZoranMijic]

People are not aware that exists sahō or rei hō for kenjutsu and even it can be slightly different depending on ryū ha

[@Enja_Near]

As a cook in Canada, knives are presented horizontally, handle first, blade sticking away from both parties. I'm going to assume this was derived from how it's done in Europe.

[@benderrodriguez5425]

Yes in Europe we do this with sharp objects, knives and siccors, etc. However I am not sure how swords are handled.

[@RogerTheil]

@@benderrodriguez5425 swords are handled the same way, as this practice came from sword etiquette.

[@benderrodriguez5425]

@@RogerTheil thank you. Not doubting you but do you have any source on that, by any chance?

[@r1pbuck]

Fair enough. However swords are a very different matter than kitchen knives.

[@deathsheir2035]

That is one of the ways in which it is done in Europe, yes.

[@khalilahd.]

This makes sense in my opinion ☺️

[@AstraSystem]

The fact that some folks are *still* trying to argue with you in the comments... smh

[@ArtietheArchon]

9:03 you have the edge facing away from you, this is not how you hand a katana to your girlfriend. look at videos from Let's ask Shogo on youtube to learn how to do it properly.

[@wizard1399]

Question: In western society there is a ceremony called "knighting" in which the receiver of the honor kneels, or takes a knee, and the one bestowing the knighting taps the receiver on the shoulders with a sword? Is there some similar tradition in the East?

[@leonardomarengoni9650]

Greeting from Brazil! I've trained Kenjutsu for a while and did a tamashi-giri once (the only time I actually put my hand on a katana) and your way was the way it was taught to me

[@КонстантинКим-и8ц]

Hello Shogo San, can you make review please about shirasaya sword (Zatoichi style blade) and practical tameshigiri, best regards Konstantin 🙇🏻‍♂️

[@khy6330]

Fascinating, appreciation for the detailed explanation and demonstration.

[@jannepeltonen2036]

This was very interesting, thanks!

[@kierankennedy7162]

I'm so glad you did this video, 👏. So many people in budo in my country don't Share information for people to understand. Thank you so much shogo 🙏🙏🙏 best regards kenjutsu sparring 🙏

[@RadenWA]

The funniest comment is “why don’t you handle it like a kitchen knife” because it’s a f***kin katana not a kitchen knife, 4head 🤦‍♂️

[@ColdNapalm42]

Which is even MORE of a reason to handle it safely because it can do MORE damage. A kitchen knife is held down for SAFETY reason of MINIMIZED damage. That reason does NOT GO AWAY just because the blade got longer. Now there are TRADITIONS as to why you would not...but tradition does NOT MEAN SAFE. IF you are arguing that a katana should be handled in an unsafe manner because tradition is important and tradition says to do this or that...FINE. I am not against tradition. Just be honest and say it is unsafe. The ABSOLUTE SAFEST way to hand a katana over would be STANDING with the point DOWN and the edge NOT facing anyone. Just like a knife or any edges tool really.

[@RadenWA]

@@ColdNapalm42 you watch the video at all? You see how easy it is for the hand to be tilted when holding the blade downward? Longer blade means a slight tilt and that metal goes straight to your thigh or crotch. Having the blade upward and “eye level” will also means the entire blade will always be within your view as you are handing it and making eye contact with the person, while downward the longer blade will make it out of view, risking it hitting something. Unlike a short kitchen knife. And if you are so clumsy that you can’t hold a blade up with two hands without it falling then you could also drop it on a feet when the blade is downward, and just shouldn’t be holding a katana at all.

[@ColdNapalm42]

@@RadenWA Oh no, the flat of a sword touched my leg...the horrors of what exactly? There should be ZERO chances of a sword being shoves into your crotch if you are STANDING. You seemed to have ignored a couple of important parts there and just focused on point down. So, you should have ZERO chances to lose control of a sword before holding one. Okay...NOBODY can handle a sword EVER. The reason the method I said is safe is because WHEN somebody loses control of the sword, the damage it does is minimized to a minor leg cut or a stabbed foot at WORST...not a sword in your brain. And if we are going from a you shouldn't jab, if you need to see your blade to know where it is, maybe you shouldn't be holding a blade either. Edit: And the method I mention was IF you had to pass along a bare blade. You really should be using the sheath, scabbards or sayas whenever possible to utterly maximize safety.

[@RadenWA]

@@ColdNapalm42 please, watch the video at all. Then grab a long stick or w/e, hold it in that way and see how _hard_ it is to tilt the sword backwards for it to touch your face let alone hit it with enough force to “lodge it in your brain”. Your thumb literally doesn’t allow it. Then point it downward and see how easy it is to sway that long blade around. And it’s not just about hurting someone’s legs, it’s also to make sure the sword doesn’t hit anything at all, which would damage the blade. Putting it downwards or sideways puts it in range with your and other people’s body, table, floor, wall around you, etc. And fun fact…your skull is _harder_ than your stomach. That’s why they hit the latter for seppuku. And yes, there is ZERO chance of losing control of the blade with a firm two-handed grip. Please. It isn’t that hard, try it with a stick. You have to be really drunk for to make it as much as wobble. Especially not with something as revered as a katana, which people will _always_ handle with he utmost care.

[@stefaniehase2448]

Harumi is such a beauty and her kimono is gorgeous! 💙

[@evastickler3298]

As shocking as the presentation looked in that short, I just assumed you knew better than I did about sword handling as the one who was making the video about katana etiquette. Though the more thorough explanation in this video was very much appreciated and very interesting! I’ve only handled tiny razor sharp objects (scalpels and other laboratory tools) and pointing the blade or sharp side of anything at anyone was considered a huge safety hazard because they were so sharp it was easy to slice through your gloves and skin without realizing it (I once slipped and dropped my forceps/tweezers while cleaning them and they were so sharp that they stuck upright on one prong in the hard tile floor, that would have definitely pierced through my shoes if I had dropped it on my foot). Seeing how your elbow is basically locked in place and how much better control you have holding the blade thumb-side up makes handling the big (hopefully not as razor sharp) sword that way a lot of sense since there isn’t as much risk in it slipping.

[@blacksnapper7684]

It’s literally just like gun safety…..

[@stonefox9124]

Yes and no... When a sword is in the air it's like it's loaded, u drop it, it goes off.

[@tokii2613]

@@stonefox9124 Just lift some weights so you don't drop something so easy to hold you numbcup 💀

[@blacksnapper7684]

@@stonefox9124 exactly.....

[@mikaelbauer3818]

Iaido practitioner here as well. What Shogo states about handing the sword seems 100% correct to me, also the way we do it.

[@スズシロ-g3b]

Obviously, this is the correct and safest way to do it. Thank you for sharing your knowledge, Shogo!

[@iampeachy1188]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 that thumbnail face 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@robertkoontz7865]

There is also etiquette for receiving the Katana. In the Ryu I learned the receiver bend/breaks their own wrist to show a submissive posture. And step/slides back.

[@pinkbunchan9258]

I think the confusion stems from the general rules of axemanship. we are taught to pass an axe, hatchet, or knife to another person by holding the cutting edge below the hand and turning the edge sideways so that it is not facing either person. I think this rule is mainly taught so that when kids groups go camping, they have at least some concern for safety and don't just throw the tools at each other.

[@ColdNapalm42]

The "confusion" stems from the fact that what he is showing is utterly DANGEROUS while he is claiming it to be safe. Sword safe practices is to hand the sword from one person to the other while standing, with the edge(s) facing away from everyone and the point down. This is because if you have a mishap and lose control of the sword, the damage that sword can do in minimized. For example, something that happens often enough to be a thing for new swordspeople is that they hand the sword to you, think you have control of it before you actually do and let go. Handing the sword how I explained, worst case, the sword pierces your foot or cuts your leg. How Shogo does it, worst case, the sword goes into your head or neck and you DIE. Safe practices are safe practices because they work when everything is going right...but because they are safe for when everything is not.

[@commanderblargh6300]

@@ColdNapalm42 No, this is not a fact, this is blowing an act of trust, which clearly is not supposed to be made so casually or lightly in the first place, obtusely out of proportion. It's only dangerous if the people in question are careless idiots.

[@ColdNapalm42]

@@commanderblargh6300 so...let me get this straight...you are saying that if someone lises control of the sword while passing the Shogo showed, there is zero chance that the sword is going into their face? Or that people make zero mistakes as long as there is a bond of trust? Are you fraking insane? No matter how careful you think you are, people always can make mistakes. Which is why you have safety procedures...to minimize damage WHEN that happens.

[@RainRoseville]

Shogo may i ask a question? there is no video about this. What happens to katanas that get their cutting eges chipped? do they get reforged? or just disposed of?

[@ajshiro3957]

That's interesting. When we train with weapons, we always treat it like it's real; even though it's wooden. We train with knives, and one thing we're taught is to never drop the knife. because if it were real, it would cut someone's foot. We also hand weapons back carefully.

[@louislamonte334]

Thanks for this video, Shogo! I practice Iaido and it would such a pleasure & honor to train with you one day! I also love traditional Japanese men's clothing!!

[@diskmedel6]

Imagine accidentally killing someone when handing the katana💀 "oh, sorry"

[@mockupguy3577]

Intresting. I have practiced several iaido styles, kendo, and a little kenjustsu on and off for 30 years and never handed someone, or been handed, a katana without the saya.

[@chastethompson1086]

To be fair, if you're coming from a place where you know about guns, but not about swords, some of those questions make a lot more sense. Like, most of the rules of basic gun safety cover the bit about handing someone a gun and it going off. The first being "never point a gun (even an unloaded one) at something you don't want shot", and the second being "every gun is loaded until you have personally checked and made sure it isn't" Even the third helps a bit, "never put anything on the trigger until you're ready to fire". So if you were handing someone a gun, you'd keep it pointed at the ground, so that even if it went off, no one would get shot. Sometimes people point them into the air, but that isn't the best practice, because what goes up must come down. You'd most likely empty the weapon before handing it over, but whether you do or not the other person should assume it's loaded and not do anything that would result in someone getting shot. Then everyone should keep their fingers away from the trigger, so it's less likely to go off unintentionally. I can kind of guess the answer for this one, (mostly the shape of the handle) but the way the question was phrased about holding it sideways makes holding it with the tip up, but the blade pointing to the left or right instead of towards you seem like it could be an option.

[@AzraelThanatos]

I think the thing with it falling on the head is more of a thing for mid transition of who has "control" of the blade...the same place where most accidental drops of items occur when transferring them. Something I don't think is as much of an issue with swords

[@TheTankGeo]

Important thing to note about the gun analogy is that one shouldn't hand a gun to someone that is loaded or at least one that doesn't have the safety engaged.

[@musamusashi]

Thanks Shogu, interesting video as always. Hope your health issue is getting better, much love and many blessings from Kenya.

[@СтепаненкоНазарРоманович]

7:47 I got a micro heart attack) Thank you for a video!

[@Concreto1984]

I noticed a similarity with putting the katana back and me and my missus; I also put the tip in first and then push gently, although we need lube.

[@shvonkle]

I would really like a Video in which you show all of the katana seen in the background, and tell us some Things about them :)

[@martinepstein9826]

Interesting video, thanks. My first thought was if you're both sitting and you point the katana downward someone might get poked in the leg.

[@Sawgrass-TML]

but wouldn’t you hand it to them with the sheath on? I haven’t watched the video yet so i don’t know if you said this.

[@bricksloth2599]

The typical western way of handing sword to another safely typically involves resheathing it as most western swords are double edged. So any other method is a bit dangerous unless you have armored/very thick gloves. As well we always either present it sideways or handle first for safety as well.

[@clementj]

Shogo: It doesn't make any sound. Movies: (schwing!) :D

[@ColonelMarcellus]

It used to be said that you never pull the katana all the way from its scabbard except for examination or inspection (e.g. for damage), or for cleaning/maintenance of the blade, or if you'd going to cut someone.

[@reillyhernandez2645]

Speaking of, what do you look for in a Katana when at a swordshop???

[@ginanjarpratama7664]

The thumbnail is so contrast with your usual composed expression, and I laught out of it, sorry .. 😂🙏🏻 Btw, the explanation is very nice to know .. Thank you

[@meuovo1763]

I think I have a question. Is there any techinique in japanese swordsmanship that resembles the half swording, or the murder stroke in Europian marital arts?

[@JohnnyWishbone85]

I’ve seen a handful of paintings depicting samurai using a half-swording technique, but I don’t know the Context™ of those paintings, and I have never seen any discussion of the technique.

[@VipsaniusAgrippa]

People probably think it can easily tilt back because most things that are long have the main compentent or at least the heaviest part is at the tip, like a weed wacker or maybe a staff with a large blunt end, so they want to tip over aggresively, where as a katana is not heavy at the tip at all, so there isnt any leverage towards you anywhere, no danger.

[@bellianamicrofarm9174]

Excellent description I like it

[@heoteam3298]

Thanks for the pfp

[@dhemong]

thank you for the video, Shogo.☺️♥️👍

[@Pengochan]

It's kind of similar to handing a knife or scissors to someone, which is done handle first and the sharp end pointed towards oneself. This is not only a form of courtesy (putting the other person at the least risk) and making it as nonthreatening as possible, but also kind of common sense, that the person that hands it over has the most control over the situation, the surer grip, and thus the responsibility, so that person should also bear any risk. Also the person that hands over the Katana should trust the person it's handed to, not demand trust of the other person.

[@edwardtownsendjr.]

🤔Interesting, Thank you Shogo for the Education of the Katana!!!✊🏿💯🔥

[@cornelious2]

The biggest thing I feel like was ignored, if the person wanted to try to hurt you, why wouldn't they just swing it after being handed over.

[@Tennouseijin]

I think people may also have exaggerated ideas of what would happen if a katana falls onto your head. Human skull is one of the hardest bones in our bodies, and it takes a lot of effort to cut through it. It would take a solid swing from a strong person with proper technique to stand a chance to cut into a skull, I doubt it could happen 'accidentally' or even if someone pushed the sword. Sure, it could end up with a nasty wound even if the sword stops at the bone, but hardly lethal. A neck cut would be much much worse.

[@keithtorgersen9664]

I am trying to remember which film it was that had a slapstick scene where several warriors were in a narrow hallway and they tried to pull out their katana only to find that the sword hilts kept striking the wall.

[@JoanieDoeShadow]

I tried so many times to "like" this video but it just keeps opening a video analytics in another window.

[@LetsaskShogo]

🤔

[@JoanieDoeShadow]

@@LetsaskShogo It did it to me on two of you're videos. Then I watched a trending video and let me like it. So I circled back to my watch history and KZbin let me like your videos. I've never had it do that to me before.

[@janetcajanetca]

Спасибо очень интересное видео

[@naominekomimi]

The analogy of firearms is a fantastic way of explaining it to Americans. "You wouldn't hand a gun to someone you don't trust to know how to not hurt you with a gun."

[@ricenoodles632]

Yes but also no. For an untrained person, it is very plausible to get hurt from handling a sword. A gun would not fire unless you pull the trigger, so there is 0% of getting hurt from a gun unless you are handing one to a mentally unstable person.

[@monchatsanssouci]

👍🏻 Very instructive, thank you 😊

[@sussybaka6921]

I love the thumbnail 🤣🤣

[@XxSteamStreamxX]

I think the size of the blade makes it different from how you can handle these blades vs an ordinary kitchen knife. With a kitchen knife you can practically palm the blade but you can exactly palm the katan blade. Just because they are both blades doesn't mean they can be treated the same way.

[@Neochrono]

All of these comments are coming from armchair enthusiasts who have never handled a katana before. But an important part about learning is questioning it.

[@Panlover_]

Is the demonstration katana a real katana?

[@trmon8890]

It's sad you had to make this video for those few individuals but at last that is now the society we live in.

[@dominiclapinta8537]

What about drawing the katana with the sheath pointed to the ground and the cutting edge side pointing away from the side of your leg? Basically drawing it with the flat if the blade directed at you. I find this way to be very safe for me and my apartment walls.

[@zolofo607]

You're gonna get houdini'd by your friend with these multiple demos

[@jbecpo]

Passing the katana from one person to another presents another problem. The handle would be passed from the giver's left hand to the receiver's right hand.

[@elenaguasco8207]

Thank you for the explanation. So interesting! I don't know why I'm so attracted by katanas. 😐

[@impracticalnuke]

That thumbnail is the perfect cringe face to react to comments.