Wearing and Drawing Samurai Swords
Вставка
- Опубліковано 28 чер 2024
- A brief overview of drawing and wearing samurai swords featuring common examples from the movies.
More War Movie Content: / johnnyjohnsonesq
Second Channel: / @johnnyjohnsonhistory
Movies/Video Games Featured:
Samaritan Zatoichi 1968
Seven Samurai 1954
Ran 1985
Kagemusha 1980
The Last Samurai 2003
Shogun’s Shadow 1989
Zatoichi 2003
Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart at the River Styx 1972
Yojimbo 1961
Kill Bill Vo. 2 2004
Samurai Cop 1991
Ninja Scroll 1993
Kill Bill Vol.1 2003
The Emperor in August 2015
Heroes of the East 1978
The Simpsons
#samurai #katana #sword
There's a bunch of clips of old Japanese samurai movies and big budget Hollywood movies.... then there's Samurai Cop. 😂
Johnny's sight gags for film buffs are like 80% of why i keep this channel bell-on😂
Well that and the history research
I came here for a Samurai Cop clip, and I was not disappointed.
He's fluent in Japanese
You're right on that and good video here really gives you hindsight on the Samurai class and the swords they carry and who knows what Johnny could do next like the AK-47, MIG Jets of Korea and Vietnam Wars among who knows what others.
1:48 I'm glad you mentioned this. So many people think that the katana was the primary weapon of the samurai but it really wasn't
Of all the weapons that are surrounded by misconceptions, the katana and the blades often confused with them, possibly have the most. It's like Stutka siren tier in that regard!
Anyway, I appreciated Sekiro for having samurai enemies fight with spears and other polearms. Neat stuff
Longer reach weapons were superior in mass combat.
@@mmorkinism Yeah, especially in formations. Yari walls were very effective against cavalry charges
@@ThommyofThenn Sekiro is pretty historically accurate and the enemy variety is pretty good, but it's so difficult for me lol
@@Kurt20051YT Thanks, Japanese history is one of many I haven't studied enough so I'm learning here and there. Of course a game is not an acceptable source but I find they can be great "jumping off points." I find something cool in a game and then I'll look it up
In Team Fortress 2 there is a weapon called the Half Zatoichi. The sword is a reference to the famous blind-swordsman Zatoichi. It’s called the Half-Zatoichi because it’s users are half blind, the Soldier is blind due to his helmet covering his face, the Demoman is blind in a one eye.
Its special stat Honor Bound, where the blade can’t be sheathed until it draws blood, is a reference to the mythical evil Muramasa swords.
You phrase it like hes a real swordsman like Musashi or something. To be more accurate, Zatoichi is a character invented in the 40's and made famous on film. Still definitely an awesome reference on tf2's part
When the Portuguese first started showing up to Japan en mass, and duels inevitably started transpiring, the Europeans put large emphasis on how deadly the Japanese swordsman were off of the draw.
Awesome video, Johnny! Keep the gems coming.
You should not forget that at the time, they used very long blades, which were slower to draw, but gave a significant advantage in a fight 1v1 when drawn...
However, when you look at earlier European blades, there are a lot that can be drawn fast: falchion, langmesser, bauernwehr, grossmesser, cinquedea, and many hangers and cutlasses, just to name a few... Many of them were not weapons of war, but self defence, which is where carrying comfort and a quick draw comes in...
Johnny the samurai ❤
those are guys are too intense. I rather be a minstrel or barkeep maybe in feudal society.
@@JohnnyJohnsonEsq....Monty Python and the Holy grail had it right...how do you know he is the King....oh he,s the one not covered in sh1t....😅😅😅
my husband loves Wakayama Tomisaburo and his Brother Shintaro Katsu!
I love watching the 1970s samurai chambara films of that era even though they’re before my time
i love Shura Yukihime
I appreciate the intentionality behind even drawing the sword. As my boy Lyn Corbray puts it, "My lady has a thirst. Whenever she comes out to dance likes a drop of red.."
I do wish you would go more in depth and that this video was forty minutes long, but I also appreciate how short and digestible this pieces is.
You fool.While You Were Partying, I Studied the Blade.
Pity. I was studying the art of flying a gunship in return.
Studying the blade vs studying the Bible. Who wins?
@@asahearts1Bible studies. 😇
@@asahearts1 i've studied both the bible and the blade at the same time, and now i have the power of god and anime at my side..
@@dhimasardiansyah8741 I assume you've become a Hellsing uberhuman.
I've always fascinated by the drawing technique of iaijutsu, especially the near mythical 2-step drawing technique of the legendary Amakakeru Ryu no Hirameki
i favour a pen to draw a sword - but will use a pencil or even a brush in an emergency
Very interesting. It's less just drawing the sword commonly seen in the west and more of a art form that is to be practiced to get it right. And regardless of how it's drawn or sheathed, the action of doing so is rather beautiful to see. Less forced and more natural. A beautiful work of art, much like the blade itself.
However, it should be noted that the west did also have "combat" draw techniques, but yeah, it was seen more as just another tool in the toolbox
For some clarification, tachi swords aren't only used for mounted use they would also be used by infantry too.
Thus, tachi swords are identified by their hilt design and method of wearing. However, you do have the Handachi, which is an inbetween in wear a tachi is worn like a uchigatana.
i.e inserted into the belt rather than hanging.
And on the other hand there are also fittings for swords that are categorized as katana that hang the sword with the blade down, primarily meant to be used in full armor.
I thoroughly enjoyed this video! I'm glad you pointed out the difference in the draw of the katana compared to the tachi.
Important safety tip: Keep your left thumb on the tsuba while handling a katana, but make sure it's not in line with the blade, or you'll have two half thumbs when you draw.The interesting thing about drawing a katana is your left hand is moving the saya backwards while the right is drawing, allowing the katana to clear the saya faster. Watch those old samurai movies in slow motion and you'll see it.
Reminds me of the scene from The Pacific when that Japanese officer draws his sword but it’s backwards since it was facing down and he drew the sword as if it was upwards.
Great video. I did not know about the sword being carried with the blade up. being I love your cutting remark at the end.
Samurai Cop 😍
His real name is Joe Marshall. They call him 'Samurai'. He speaks fluent Japanese. He got his Martial Arts training from the masters in Japan. He was brought over here from the police force in San Diego to fight us.
"Which of you is Fush… Fuuj… Fujiyama?"
@@inisipisTV "Do you know what Katana means? It means Japanese sword"
must rewatch Seven Samurai, never noticed Tom Cruise riding into battle with Ken Watanabe in that particular movie :)
Wouldn't mind a video of non-katana swords!
The wooden bokken and bamboo shinai could be nice. May even be a good excuse to show off Toradora!, You're Under Arrest, Outlaw Star, Revolutionary Girl Utena+Adolescence of Utena, and Gintama.
Oh, man, you didn't include the closing duel from Sanjuro!
Some if these movies look pretty good!! 🍿
Great video Johnny!!
Lone Wolf and Baby Cub, that brings back memories of watching this on VHS with my dad.
It’s on HBO/Max here in the US, along with Lady Snowblood!
Great video Johnny! Really interesting topic that I'd never known about, despite a fascination with Feudal Japan.
Could use a couple of clips from Rurouni Kenshin considering its heavy emphasis on iaido but still great scenes! Ample information as well, thanks!
Thanks that information ❤
1:24 small error where the movie is actually "The Last Samurai"
Very cool!
There’s a new ‘Shogun’ miniseries out, so i wonder if you’ve seen it with this info in mind?
In ‘The Expanse’, the ship that would eventually be called ‘The Rocinante’, was first called ‘Tachi’. 👍🏼
Legitimate salvage.
With Rocinante in mind, one can be surprised on how popular and relevant Don Quixote is to the Japanese.
I love The Expanse, plan on watching Shogun after finishing Expanse and SEAL Team
As having done both Kendo and HEMA as a n00b I was surprised how similar they are.
My husband’s skill taunt to him by his grandfather when he was younger.
both my father,husband and father-in-law love Chambara films
Sekiro has the best Katana draw I've ever seen at the first boss fight
If you ever make a video on European sword carry, then I bet that it would need to be 10x as long...
I guess it's a "I like to keep this for close encounters" situation? It's basically their side arm so to speak?
4:11 Yabushige - Sama
Man you kill it with every video you make! Excellent work!!!
What does katana mean?
-it means japanese sword
-samurai cop
it's funny because it's not even wrong, the proper term of the katana would be nihonto, which directly means Japanese sword.
@@thenorthstarsamurai The correct generic term for a sword on Japanese is "Tsurugi" katana is specifically used for single edge swords
So yeah that scene while badly written and acted its not that incorrect
What does Ramen mean"
-It means Japanese spaghetti
@@dirckthedork-knight1201 Well we're both technically not wrong then
Very good overview 🥋
Samurai Cop! LOL That was hilarious on Riff Traxx!
This was really interesting thankyou
my favorite yt channel pure joy, zero bs
Hey Johnny!
Howdy!
The art of the katana is very intense, no matter how you slice it.
Highlander and Kill Bill comes to mind
Putting in clips from Samurai Cop was a suprise to be sure, but a welcome one
Oh nice inclusion of Heroes of the East. I love that movie!
Short and sweet
If you look carefully you'll notice that the blade is typically drawn between the thumb and forefinger of the left hand to squeeze blood off it before sheathing it all in one smooth and practiced notion. Any blade long enough to be useful on horseback has to be worn edge down because all of two-handed, edge up drawing styles would endanger the horse's neck..
Think of the katana like the modern pistol. It's nobodies first choice in war, but it's easy to carry and fast to draw when your life depends on it. While not as concealable for it's time, the samurai sword has the same social acceptance as carrying a pistol concealed. There are situations when it's not ok and some folks had strong opinions on it, but there were rules which governed it's use.
That is basically true of all swords.
Outside of romans and renaissance sword an buckler men no one picked swords as there first choice.
3:27 Righthandedness is more or less the reason any country drives on the left side of the road. It's best to have your dominant hand facing oncoming traffic so you can defend yourself most easily
Impressive research for this one
Great video man!
your channels awesome i love the information
Great video. I love samurai and Japanese history. Thanks.
Hehehe...first😊.. another great video Johnny👍
Samurai Cop. I knew you were a man of culture
Pronounced Eee-eye-doh. Thanks for the video. More samurai content please!
Awesome.
Thanks, i liked the video
i need to re watch the lone wolf series
What is it about them that makes them so esthetically pleasing? So beautiful?
You mention that "most were right-handed" As I was instructed in Shinkendo it was stated "all" were because being left-handed was dishonorable. This is not just a fight or walking technic, it also related to how you sat to talk to others, the katana would sit to the right of you. This would require a timely switch to the correct side or you would draw with the left-hand, which if practiced, would be dishonorable.
It's not all tactics, it's customs too.
Thanks for adding that. That was something I didn't know!
@@JohnnyJohnsonEsq I'm only mostly sure this is true, it's what I was told from my Sensei but he would not let me learn left-handed. I was forced to be right-handed per tradition.
I hope you have footage from THE PACIFIC or LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA.
I bet it is not a coincidence this comes out as shogun is airing :)
lol I haven't started it yet to be honest but I hear it's great!
@@JohnnyJohnsonEsq The new Shogun series is great, great acting and attention to detail when it comes to all the historical stuff. They even have the Japanese dialogue not in modern day Japanese but in period correct, ''old timey'' Japanese.
It was a really surprising for me to hear, that katana was not a main/favorite samurai weapon and was used rather for self-defense. And javelin, spear, or bow was the weapon of choice. Maybe too many samurai movies were watched and no serious "studies" on Japanese battle tactics
The sword is a side arm like a modern day pistol, a weapon you wear, not carry.
Awesome
No way, Samurai Cop.
Core memory revisited.
John Belushi: Samurai Delicatessen!
A Samurai Sword could be seen in the movie "Letters from Iwo Jima"
Awesome video!!! What?!?!?!?! NO mention or clips of that chick wielding her Katana in "The Walking Dead" TV series?!?!?!?!
“Draw me not without reason; sheath me not without honor”
I just need to remember to bring my lightsaber if i ever end up in a Kill Bill parodying 😂😂
thats right! most ppl thought the samurai weapon of choice is the katana but in fact, it is just the sword their carry with them all the time, most were skilled archer and horseman
Everything i know about katana I learned from Kenshin Himura...The Batosi.
The habit of wearing katana blade up and striking directly from the draw comes from the Muromachi period when uchigatana wasn't yet associated with samurai but rather a footman's sidearm. Ashigaru with spears and bows carried them as a back-up for when an enemy gets past the optimal range of their primary weapon. A short sword with its blade up was easy to quickly draw and employ in that situation. Iai/battoujutsu became more of a thing among samurai during the Edo period when swords were used as weapons of self-defense in a time of peace.
But will Johnny stop Aku?
Akuuuuuu!!!!
Now the fool seeks to return to the past, and undo the future that is Akuuuuuuuu!
2:25 lol
4:23 Yabushige
Tachi kink at the handle like a earlier Warabitetou which it adapted with the 10th century stright Chukutou sword around the 11th century into early Kazari tachi had nearly no curve in the blade but a slight kink in the handle meeting the blade but was over all fairly stright.
Greatly curved tachi only existed in the 14th century & portion of the 15th century being in the muromachi jidae as it was the fashion of he time .
The tachi was used as a side arm in war for over 7 centuries but only for only for 1 & 1/2 were really curved tachi popular.
Another thing most are not a aware is a Katana is compound word for from kata=1 edge/1side implying a single edge & na=Blade as in any blade.
Katana meqns any single edged blade & so a chinse Dao is a Katana, so are sabres from Eurasia, Talwar from India, falchions from Europe etcetera.
A shaku=11.9 inches roughly & this old Japanese measurement before the Meiji restoration is what ever thing including nihontou=traditional Japanese bladed weapons that is every bladed weapon so Yari or naginata to name a few besides swords.
A blade length under 1 shaku to 1/2 a shaku is a Tantou that are are either large daggers or very short swords depending on perception.
From 2 to 1 shaku you have 2 types of sword being the wakaazashi & Kodachi which differ in construction because of how they are mounted worn.
Wakazahi's sheath is smooth with no added obstruction for the stuba/guard was none or very small so the sheathed blade to be slipped out of the period clothing like sash or obi for instance while kodachi is worn slung from a cord in the same manner as a tachi.
A tachi is the same as a kodachi but is 2 to 3 shaku long.
An Odachi is 3+ shaku though only on rare occasion did they reach 5 shaku.
O & wo is a particle that act as an object marker so an object of important or presence/concern though it can be used for any object as long as something makes it notable with this case being the size.
What most in the west universally call a Katana is from the later potion Senguku jidae in the 15th century but mainly used post sengoku is the Uchigatana which came from a specific sort of tantou called a sasuga.
Uchi=company & home as Japanese business always tried to imply both are the same due to their work mentality.
Gatana=dull-edged sword'; Gatana from katana rendaku upon with comedic connotation (jidaigeki= a specific Theatric genre) for a dimwit as a self-appointed samurai.
Uchigatana basically implies the home society/organization of dimwits playing as samurai/retainers.
Uchigatana are 2 to 3 shaku in length as well.
You have other types of sword in these various length from japan but should get the point johnny.
The sword everyone uses to play as a samurai was seen as a sword of peace & those who were Samurai looked upon such people that wielded them as ridiculous for in the Edou jidae from 1600 to the mid 1800's you had no war but men roaming around with swords for as the highest caste of the caste system people let them do as they pleased but their elders would mock them as none of them saw war.
After the failed Japanese invasions of Korea from 1592 to 1598, Battle of Sekigahara in 1600 7 the invasion of Ryuku in 1609 you can no real conflict till beside the Brief barely mention Shimabara Rebellion in 1637-1638 which shy of 60,000 died.
From 1638 to 1863 you had peace & people playing as retainer/samurai in japan for that was ended by the British Bombardment of Kagoshima Which Britain won as they resulted to bombardment after the satsuma domain attacked British representatives seeking legal justice through compensation that was received after with collateral damage for £25,000.
You don't try to avoid paying the British crown what you owed as it never ends well the indebted!
wearing sword ''down edge'' was an Edo thing & not a Sengoku jidae thing of samurai that saw battle.
That quick draw method was developed for the Uchigatana mentioned in the edo period that was dominated by peace.
A samurai in Senguku would not draw his sword if attacked by bandits or other people assailing him in his domicile for they all carried most often used a tantou or a wakazashi hidden in their clothing.
kodachi or select tantou were worn in a daishou mounting of the 2 blades.
Waring states & earlier Samurai had no reason to were a blade ''down'' for they carried a pair of blades for personal defence as well as the utility of a smaller more manageable blade.
You were required the small blade harakiri=formal act of suicide by samurai.
Your smaller blade would splay your cuts while the person the samurai appointed as Kaishakunin would decapitate the samurai after he had carried the act of disembowelment to regain his title & position.
To be selected as a Kaishakunin was more then trust but that someone saw you as dedicated for you would not kill them till the ritual was done & nor would they kill you early out of pity.
The very customs of the time went against ''Iaijutsu''.
I do find it amusing how many misconception westerners have of Japan because they can't comprehend their tongue or mentality of the past.
I have to laugh at 1/2 the nonsense that come out of people today.
What annoys me more is how western people wear Japanese blades in European mounting styles to have longer swords that would have never been in japan.
it removes all cultural significant meaning & if it was done to any culture it would be seen as rather insulting.
My elders all served the crown & everything was done in a specific manner for uniform & equipment on parade as it as cultural significance to Britain.
It is amusing how the people that most get hyped with japan are unintentionally the most insulting but the Japanese are to polite to say other wise.
This among many other reason is why Japan is so Xenophobic & the politest r@cists you will ever meet.
Could you maybe make a video about the fliegerfaust? I love your videos. Your channel is undeniable the best history weapons explained channel on youtube
I could try but I think there is very limited footage of it
Yeah sadly but i would love it to know more about it
@@JohnnyJohnsonEsq....maybe notable Axemen, Jimmy Page ,the Edge.....Eric Bloodaxe...Harold Hardrada...funnily enough ,just back from Stamford bridge
Remember, it's not a slight against your honour as long as your blades don't bump
On that last note about being careful, I have an infamous Snapchat where I'm filming a girl cutting a milk jug with my katana and it ending bloody because she spun right round and nearly cut my finger in half. Calcified middle finger with a katana scar is my favorite scar lol
Yikes be careful !
Small nitpick:
Katana just means sword. When the video gets to the katana section they mean uchigatana which were the personal swords used by samurai outside of battle. Uchigatana were typically worn blade up and tachi blade down (mentioned in the video). Uchigatana were also mainly ceremonial and worn as a status symbol. Realistically a samurai would use spears, bows, or a tachi. Then they'd use any other weapon on the ground. Then they'd use a rock. Only when there's absolutely nothing to use and they're still fighting would they draw an uchigatana. It's because of this that Japan heavily romanticized the uchigatana due to its nature of being used when there's nothing else, a sort of "last stand" romanticization. That's why a lot of movies and media have samurai just willy nilly use their uchigatanas in duels or battles instead of using weapons samurai actually used.
Fun fact: Korean swords in the Joseon dynasty look very similar to uchigatanas because of a cultural exchange that happened between the two nations prior to the Imjin war in the 1500s. It's why both nations have similar swordsmanship and why Japan during the Imjin war kidnapped famous Korean blacksmiths as they could make uchigatanas, with them often times making better quality swords due to having learned and developed techniques from places like China.
Dang, that guy was lucky against those falling swords.
0:36: Oh, Akira Kurosawa, you sure know how to make a gripping moment suddenly get silly somehow.
Am a bit bummed Lone Wolf and Cub never got a full retro anime adaptation back in the day, a la Fist of the North Star. Oh, well, at least the likes of works including Samurai Jack paid enough homages for it. (In the meantime, am pretty sure "River Styx" is a sort of Woolseyism based on the River Sanzu.)
2:26: Baka!
2:31: A New Hope, anyone?
2:57: How is this connected to swords, hehe?
You know, in my perspective, one's better off either summoning weapons from nowhere (think the mages and their staffs in Frieren: Beyond Journey's End; beats mounting them in their backs a la Dragon Age: Origins) or just have one of those multi-weapon types that can be shifted into simpler smaller things like fashion trinkets, a strange coin, or a lucky button.
Any chance another upcoming topic would be the era of (mostly Portuguese) imported muskets in the late feudal eras and how they ended up very influential at the expense of the samurai? Would be useful to showcase why there are Hand Cannoneers in Age of Empires II: The Conquerors' Kyoto mission and why certain fictional characters like Mami Tomoe are based on the idea.
that was a very sharp video 😏
Interestingly once the Japanese came into contact with the European sabre it supplanted the samurai's sword as the Japanese felt it was a better weapon.
Whenever I see Tom Cruise in The Last Samurai I am reminded of the Paul Mooney review from The Chappelle Show. Not really relevant but I just looked it up again and laughed my ass off.
Blade towards enemy.
Why slice man one time with sword when you can slice man 32 times with MP 40?
I notice that the Japanese in movies, especially in samurai ones, have this particular style of posture and running. It's like a partial crouch that give them some spring to their feet that run parallel to their opponents and perform quick stops. Even the spearmen have this partial crouch that make them move side to side very quickly. I don't see this in knights or kungfu movies. Movies with silat have full crouch which is part of their stance but are not used for extended running sessions-they always ended up rolling around the ground.
However, regular Japanese movie characters have very weak knees. If one encounter a jump scare of any kind they would immediately drop down on their behind and became bumbling idiots. Only a Kaiju level threat would make them to immediately run away.
Tenno Heika Banzai
Then the Chinese had those massive Dadao swords.
I better practice this
Can you make another video about Erwin Rommel in films? I have calculated that there are about 25 films and TV productions that feature the character Erwin Rommel the desert fox.
I should be able to! That would be a great project.
I am ashamed to say I did not realize until recently you ended your videos with glorious puns.
I literally didnt understand anything,but its so nice to watch and hear your voice johnny
I like how you focus on the fact that the Draw Attack was a self defense technique If a samurai knew he was going to have to fight he would draw the weapon first. Its to respond to surprise attacks. Similar techniques are found in European styles as well. It's not uniquely Japanese.
4:23. Is he the actor who played Yabushige in Shogun?
Yes, he is Tadanobu Asano.
We all love to own a Samurai sword if given. Don't kid yourselves.
Thanks, this will help a lot! I am going to wear mine tomorrow to find my waifu thanks to you! (PLZ PIN)
The pronunciation was terrible but the information was accurate. I hadn't heard about the left side roads bit, wonder how much of that is truth and how much is maybe just reverse engineered folklore
I learned how to draw a katana from John Belushi.