Why Policemen Used Non-Curved Katana (The History of Katana Swordsmanship)

Let's ask Shogo | Your Japanese friend in Kyoto

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One of the Japanese katana’s biggest characteristics is that it’s curved, right? However, there are some katana that aren’t. “Oh yeah, you’re talking about those ancient Japanese swords, right?” Nope, I’m not. This straight katana was used by a group of swordsmen who fought in the Meiji period (1868~1912). Who were they? Why did they use these katana? By unraveling this mystery, we can see why katana and Budo martial arts are still important in Japan today.
So today, I will explain the purpose of curvature on a katana. Next, I will explain the historical process that led to the creation of this straight katana. Finally, we will explain how history was changed by the straight sword and the men who handled it. Please be sure to watch this video to the end, as it will incredibly deepen your knowledge of the history of the Katana and the martial arts. If you have any other questions about katana, please let me know in the comments!
*The content is based on personal studies and experience
There is no intention of denying other theories and cultural aspects
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#thankyou #japanesehistory #katana

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29 апр 2024

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Комментарии : 618

@adriellightvale8140 14 дней назад

You're telling me that they aren't ninja blades, but cop blades?!

@MasterOfBaiter 14 дней назад

What is a ninja but a cop undercover.

@Makingnewnamesisdumb 14 дней назад

What if ACAB includes ninjas?

@MasterOfBaiter 14 дней назад

@@Makingnewnamesisdumb reject feudal lord ideology and ninja simping!

@vids595 14 дней назад

@@MasterOfBaiter What do cops have to do with assassins?

@MasterOfBaiter 14 дней назад

@@vids595 ninja were not really assassins in history they were more intelligence gatherers and a lot of them were actually samurai. Literal undercover officers of the state.

@Serenity_Dee 14 дней назад

One of the fun things about the curved katana is that the curve isn't forged in with the hammer, but created during the quench, through the careful use of the clay through differential hardening. You can find footage online of bladesmiths quenching such a blade in a clear tank and see the curve developing. It's eerie and fascinating.

@erniemathews5085 14 дней назад

you said it first and best.

@Uryendel 13 дней назад

it's not the clay that make the curve, it's how you put the blade in the bath of coolant

@M0rb 13 дней назад

It's both the result of the forging process and the selective quenching actually. The blade's curvature is also refined afterwards, using a hot block of copper for example. There are many more variables that influences the blade's curvature. Interestingly during the quenching process the blade curves frontside before going back and settling to the intended shape. You can see this in the fishtank quenching videos you mentionned.

@5co756 11 дней назад

@@UryendelNo , the clay let the blade cool down slower were the clay is thicker . It colls down slower at the back and faster at the edge and this creates the curve .

@Uryendel 11 дней назад

@@5co756 if that was the case you wouldn't be able to make a straight blade. And the clay doesn't prevent cooling, it prevent heating Katana blade are drop t in a bassin parallel to the ground with a movement that create the curve. Now if you want a straight, you drop the blade at once in a tube perpendicular to the ground

@angelosilva342 14 дней назад

Nice to have you back Shogo!

@macruz8503 9 дней назад

I call him chocko!

@kalandarkclaw8892 14 дней назад

I love how you not only broke down the reasons for the blades but also the political and social issues so clearly. Japans eras never cease to amaze me

@liquidminddesign1367 7 дней назад

Just a small nit-pick about the purpose of the curve. Although said curve DOES make for a better cutting/slashing implement vs a straight blade, it is NOT actually any sharper (assuming equal craftsmanship). The improved cutting dynamic has to do with the relationship between the blade shape and the natural arc that a human body will produce when swinging it. Think leverage, surface area, and ergonomics rather than inherent mechanical sharpness. Great video! Super interesting!

@rogerp4612 3 часа назад

Correct.

@chopperchuck 14 дней назад

I have always been fascinated by Japan it's people it's culture it's history I've got a lot of books on the subject Your channel has greatly expanded my knowledge thank you

@i6power30 14 дней назад

It's its. Not it's

@alycewonderland5824 13 часов назад

All I want is for you to continue creating these videos and including as much information as you possibly can! It is always exciting to learn something new, especially from someone knowledgeable about the topic. Thank you very much. ☺️

@tehchikon 14 дней назад

I've been playing Like a Dragon: Isshin! lately and have been learning all about the Shinsengumi and the Meiji period. Thank you for providing more information about this very tumultuous and interesting point in Japan's history. And welcome back Shogo!

@MercenaryJames 14 дней назад

Shogo remains my favorite channel in regards to Japanese culture and understanding. Love your videos.

@sageofsixpathskakashi3742 14 дней назад

As an overseas kendoka I was super surpried to learn so much about it in a non kendo video. It also funny that kendo was used both by the Shogunate in the form of the Shinsengumi and by the Government with the Battoutai. "We may have our differences but we agree on one thing. Kendo wins wars"

@23Disciple 12 дней назад

I cannot agree. Shinsegumi used classic gekiken (free sparring), look at Tenen rishin ryu. Yes, they used similar gear, it is ancestor of kendo, but whole gekiken is ancestor of kendo, which is sport with rules, and gekiken is training method. Yes, i see videos with "old school kendo", but thats practicaly gekiken before rules was setted.

@Ianmar1 12 дней назад

@@23Disciple Gekiken was a gamification of the uchikomi keiko of the jikishinkage ryu, which was first made into a sport within the Nakanishi-ha itto ryu and popularised by the 14th headmaster of jikishinkage ryu Sakakibara Kinkichi, who founded the Gekken Kogyo. Uchikomi keiko was a corrective measure for "dead" kata, gekiken since renamed to kendo was always an extracurricular sport. Free sparring is a very modern concept, the people of that time would have had duels, the purpose of which was to prove their system and skill. The word for a duel between students of different schools is taryu jiai not gekiken.

@sportstermissions 14 дней назад

Nobody does it better than Shogo! 👍🏽

@jayrice5736 14 дней назад

Arigatou gozaimasu, Shogo-San! Your videos are always helpful!

@monicab204 14 дней назад

Thanks Shogo! Wonderful presentation on the straight katana. ❤

@tsoonklah 14 дней назад

Your videos are the best & most enjoyable! Don’t mind the less frequency at all, if anything it makes me even happier to see a new one. ❤

@ARKYmouse 14 дней назад

This was indispensably informative, Shogo-san! This clears up a lot of my own confusion and misconceptions about the change in blade styles during the Meiji Restoration Period.

@ichibanbento 14 дней назад

Yay Shogo is back! It was very informative thank you!

@stevenfriedman2902 14 дней назад

A very informative video. Love hearing about Japanese history (along with history of weapons in general) and hope to some day visit. You've just gotten another subscriber from me!

@richt63 14 дней назад

Love this video ❤ I'm glad you're back. 👍

@christopherharris6005 9 дней назад

Awesome video as always Shogo. Shogo I always look forward to watching your videos on all kinds of topics about Japanese 🇯🇵 culture keep up the great work.

@CarterElkins 10 дней назад

I love the presentation style of this channel and Seki Sensei’s. Showing me a table of contents seems like it would steal the video’s thunder, but in reality, it usually piques my interest, while setting an expectation of what’s to come. It’s remarkably relaxing.

@IkedaHakubi 14 дней назад

It's been a while. Glad to see you back!

@_fawkes 14 дней назад

This video makes me want to go and watch Rurouni Kenshin again. Great content as always. And welcome back!

@ericthompson3982 14 дней назад

The curve also increases the length of the cutting edge without increasing the overall length of the sword, making it slightly more convenient for carrying and close fighting.

@sinisterthoughts2896 14 дней назад

That is covered both by the aids in cutting/sharpness segment, and the balance and drawing segments he went over. So he covered those points.

@lmclrain 14 дней назад

I'd say the metal becomes stronger, just as a bow that can project energy at a point with the help of curvature.

@mrkiky 8 дней назад

None of those things make sense. What's the advantage in having more cutting edge without more reach? The metal definitely doesn't become stronger because it's curved. There's absolutely no principle that would make that happen, unless the sword was extremely curved, like an arch supporting the weight of the wall above it. The curve in a katana is way too slight to have that effect. And what does it have to do with a bow? A bow bends to store energy, which is then released into an arrow, which has a point. That's the only sense the bow uses curvature to project energy at a point, but none of those mechanics are in common with the katana. The only advantage to the curve is that when you swing a sword, you move it in an arc, and a curved blade more readily follows the arc as you draw it across the thing you're cutting, therefore making the cut easier. Also if you're hitting a flat surface, less of the blade comes in contact at a time, so it exerts higher pressure. But you never hit a flat surface with a sword, so that doesn't really matter. It matters when cutting veggies on a flat cutting board.

@ericthompson3982 8 дней назад

@@mrkiky You do increase the cutting length. Geometry, dude.

@AdamOwenBrowning 7 дней назад

@@ericthompson3982 you don't increase *effective* cutting length - cutting length that you can use. Why? Because the curve retreats towards you! This reduces the extra reach you're technically given. You're absolutely right about geometry, but you can't suddenly "straighten the sword" during a fight to make effective use of that extra cutting length. A straight-blade with a couple inches LESS BLADE would have the same *effective* cutting length as a curved sword with a couple inches more blade, if you follow what I'm saying

@lax9586 14 дней назад

Glad to see you back Shogo.

@dashtfied8508 14 дней назад

It's really awsome to watch your videos again.Also looking forward for more Kyoto family vlogs.

@donkeno247 10 дней назад

Welcome back! Thanks for this amazing lesson

@HelyaRavn 13 дней назад

This was so interesting! Thank you for sharing, Shogo

@centurybeta2112 14 дней назад

Great video! So glad to have you back and always love your well explained format.

@sternentigerkatze 14 дней назад

This was very informative and it is so nice to see videos from you again!

@massacreking 14 дней назад

Thanks for being back some content!!!!

@reinesmelloid3468 14 дней назад

I still remember Sakamoto Ryoma had a straight sword called Mutsunokami Yoshiyuki. I hope I'm right because I've been playing Touken Ranbu for a long time.

@roymarron7622 День назад

I am so grateful to live in a time when I can get this knowledge from my room, thanks Shogo!!!

@drumetu71 14 дней назад

Thank you for this and welcome back! 😉

@DrMARDOC 12 дней назад

Wonderful! You answered so many questions I’ve had for decades 😊

@Kaiyanwang82 14 дней назад

Loved this one. Also, with the utter respect, and also revealing my venerable age - Saigo Takamori gives me a sort of Golgo vibe.

@WhuDhat 13 дней назад

golgo 13?

@Kaiyanwang82 13 дней назад

@@WhuDhat YES!

@MelaninCosplay 14 дней назад

Happy to see a video!! ❤❤

@nelsinki5177 14 дней назад

Thanks for your explanations on non-curved Katanas.

@guyblew1733 9 дней назад

Loved this history lesson about Japan. Enjoyed learning about the different katana swords.

@roderickrivera1104 14 дней назад

Welcome back shogo 🎉 and love the new looks 😊

@anglerfish4161 13 дней назад

This is a great video as always, Shogo, although I did hope for some dive into how differently the straight katana and the traditional ones fared in combat, how they matched against each other and changed tactics and the like!

@SarcasticTurtles 9 дней назад

Thank you for sharing your wisdom and knowledge.

@ThePuckOG 11 дней назад

Amazing video Shogo! Love the new video format

@thesleepyweasel3775 10 дней назад

Excellent presentation, as always!

@sinisterswordsman25 13 дней назад

Fascinating! Thank you for sharing🙏

@shanel4348 9 дней назад

As someone who has always known Japanese culture but always been somewhat in the dark about many of the customs of the feudal/imperial period, I really appreciate your videos! Thank you! Subscribed!

@file66 14 дней назад

Another great, thought provoking and informative video - thanks for sharing...!

@LuckyIIsmail 9 дней назад

Great to see a new video from you again.

@unrussleablejimmies4428 5 дней назад

Battoutai?! that's so badass! This is a very informative explanation. It is amazing how far kendo has travelled across the world.

@christopherross1027 5 дней назад

Just want to say, I love your videos and have always been fascinated by Japanese culture.. love it.. wish I could visit someday

@heronwireo1085 13 дней назад

I think you are right about the 'ninja sword' not to mention the whole ninja panoply. Movies aside, a spy/scout and a commando are very different things. If a spy does his job right, no violence ever happens; he or she blends in, does nothing suspicious and sticks to his story. Much safer if he isn't armed at all. Most special 'gadgets' if any are reserved for the most dangerous parts, which would rarely include assassination (e.g., Operation Valkyrie) but more commonly communication with his handlers. Ninja commandos if they existed, no doubt trained for night raids and wore camouflage, but their weapons and gear was likely not otherwise different.

@robertgerow670 11 дней назад

Really interesting video! It gave me all kinds of flashbacks to watching Kenshin like 20 years ago. Insane it’s been that long, wow

@BrendonHuor 14 дней назад

Another amazing video, Shogo! Love the mix of martial arts and history. :)

@Ezekiel_Allium 7 дней назад

This is a totally new subject to me, I learned a lot from this video, I'm gonna go read up more on the end of the Edo period now because this all sounds really interesting.

@carluyabut1461 14 дней назад

The Return of the King

@RocketTurret 14 дней назад

It's been a while since I've watched your vids! I'm so early though. And very cool topic!

@jpchiesa День назад

You presented an excellent treatise on the variants of katanas. I might proffer a little more information that might be a possible reason why as well. In the Napoleonic wars, the opposing armies of the British and French used two distinctly different types of swords. the French used straight sabers and they incorporated a fighting style that was two-fold. The French used a parry and thrust style. On the other hand, the British, with their cutlass, utilized a fighting style that put more importance slashing to defeat their opponent. Without going into too much detail as to what the strategy behind their logic was, this anecdote might give perspective. During Napoleonic battles, the French leadership discussed issuing a formal protest against the British for using the cutlass after viewing the horrific wounds the cutlasses were influcting, but French physicians advised the leadership against doing so. They stated that although the Saber wounds French soldiers received looked horrific, many more wounded were surviving. On the other hand, when the human body is pierced by a sword, not only does this cause "decompression of the cabin", but if a vital organ such as the heart or liver are pierced from a blades thrust, it is "game over" and the wounded soldier is more likely to die! This perspective might warrant your further investigating!

@ferjo3192 11 дней назад

very interesting and fun explanation, thank you

@ronsorage78 14 дней назад

Nice to see you back to doing your own channel a bit too.

@jordanrichards320 11 дней назад

Youre awesome Shogo. I enjoyed this :) Not to get overly personal but I hope you're well

@Byzantios1 10 дней назад

Also explains the strong link between police and kendo, why so many top ranked kenshi are police officers.

@globetrotter147 7 дней назад

Very awesome. The Meiji Restoration is an interesting time period for sure. Lots of intriguing history there that can be traced to Japan as we see it today.

@TheInfectiousCadaver 10 дней назад

i hope your doing better shogo! nice to see you again

@JoeBoydIII-yy8ih 14 дней назад

I'm enjoying our Chanel Shogo and thank you for showing us the great Katanas

@Shattering_Comet 9 дней назад

Absolutely fascinating. Thx

@johnwax1383 10 дней назад

Very informative class.

@Prometheus_Williams 13 дней назад

So glad to see you Shogo.

@snkxhxxd5449 14 дней назад

Oh shogo's back. Nice!

@mikecrill02 14 дней назад

Great video!

@aaronwright6058 10 дней назад

Thank you for this!

@nickmills8476 11 дней назад

Nice details, thanks!

@MissesWitch 14 дней назад

This was a great history lesson!!

@hdgehog6 11 дней назад

I love the historical vids! Keep 'em comin'....... BTW, I love the Falx so how would that hold up, Shogo?

@bobojerry1798 11 дней назад

my introduction to the Shinsengumi and Battotai was from the Himura Kenshin manga 🤣

@Tattooed-bs4cm 10 дней назад

A really interesting post on this topic. Explained by a friendly person. Videos like these are really fun to watch as a fan of Asian culture and as a sword lover! Best regards from Vienna

@Omni0404 8 дней назад

This was so interesting!

@buzzell93 7 дней назад

Very interesting! Thank you 👍

@docteurguillotine 14 дней назад

that was fascinating! Thansk!

@paydie1206 8 дней назад

Hey Shogo! Thanks for the informative video! My question is how is your health these days? I hope the best.

@watersheep1194 14 дней назад

how do you collect and accumulate the information? where do you usually find papers or get the researches done? that video was very focal and concise and highly informative. I genuinely appreciate your work :)

@share.theworld 4 дня назад

Wow shogo! thank you so much

@rockingmariachi 14 дней назад

He's back!

@Steaphany 10 дней назад

Welcome back

@HarryToeface 10 дней назад

Getting close to 2 million subs Shogo :) I hope you have the time to celebrate it properly when it happens!

@nathanielknoxfrost2073 14 дней назад

Amazing history lesson shogo ❤ 👍👍👍👍

@wolfphantomanimations 14 дней назад

Very interesting history, i like it 👍🏽

@codycarter7638 14 дней назад

As a lifelong kendo/iado student, I truly appreciate your reverence for the katana and the various disciplines that have evolved over the passage of years.

@mantovannni 14 дней назад

Awesome stuff, thanks.

@onter21 14 дней назад

hi im a big fan, love from Canada

@lucieleblanc4915 14 дней назад

Loved it, thank you

@PDRich 3 дня назад

Being a Jodoka, I was going to say Historical Japanese Police preferably used Jo Staff (amongst other weapons); But yes, Japanese swords do differ depending on the prefecture & historical period of Japan they were in, things were also in flux during the Meiji period and military officers would start to carry Japanese swords with westernised fittings like basket hilts, rings mounts & spur-like scabbards and wear the sword blade down, like a Tachi. Also, one of the best Sword Smiths in Tokyo only makes straight bladed Nihonto, probably because of the Tokyo's ties to the Battotai and Kenjutsu. Curved Blade: Yes, easier to draw & Sheath - On Horseback; Remember Katana evolved from Uchigatana & Tachi. People in my Dojo always suspected that Ninjato were probably just Edo period Kodachi with (later outlawed) square Tsuba, long Tsuka-Ito & Saya; Which they'd use like a step ladder to climb over walls and pull their swords up behind them. But it could be from Battotai swords...

@2adamast 2 дня назад

Indeed I expect they didn't use fire weapons and were at a disadvantage against katana traditionalists, so they came with non traditional swords instead of sticks. They carry them like sticks too.

@myrddrral 14 дней назад

Absolutely fascinating.

@CarlosCeli07 11 дней назад

Shogo! what a great video! you’re awesome. I am on an Aikido practitioner here in the states and would love to know whether practicing in Japan during a visit, I am planning would be recommended.

@bobsmith-ui8uw 10 дней назад

Very very interesting!

@Forced2DoThis1 9 дней назад

Most excellent return!

@strikezrow 11 дней назад

Welp, I'm taking shinkendo now, so i feel this is an obvious sub. Thanks for the video!

@mkkm1701 14 дней назад

Wonderful and very informative video, as always! Thank you! I have a question - Did the non-curvature katanas and other "straight" swords mentioned in the end have a single blade or were they double-bladed? Again, thank you very much! 😊

@definitivamenteno-malo7919 14 дней назад

depends on the type. Ken are double edged, and Chokutou, are single edged, for example. So an straight katana can be like a chokuto perfectly

@ken2000X 14 дней назад

This is fascinating and seems like a really important part of Kendo’s history. Have the straight blades been preserved for kata and solo demonstrations? I have only seen shin-ken demos using the curved blade. I’m sure they had a unique drawing technique has to be developed with them for the battotai to use them. Is that drawing techno taught as well. This blew my mind.

@HidaAtarasi 13 дней назад

This was interesting; I had always been under the impression that the curvature of katana was a side effect of the forging process, and had never been intentional.