Katana - The Samurai "Slicer"

[obscureLOVE]

does anyone have a really katana at home?^^

[dragonrazor]

Originally Posted by obscureLOVE

does anyone have a really katana at home?^^

i have a few modern reproductions....i wouldn't call them real, since they aren't handforged, and they aren't carbon steel (they're stainless)

[AoshiShinomori]

*sigh* I don't have a katana but I really want one! *Hopes OL-chan will get him one *

So continuing with education on swords, here is a special type of katana:

Shikomizue

The Shikomizue (transalates to Japanese prepared cane) is a Japanese concealed sword disguised as a cane or walking stick ( Watch out for them grandad's ). It was sometimes used by government officials in Japan in the Meiji period.

The name Shikomi-zue is actually the name of a type of mounting though. The sword blade was placed in a cane-like mounting (tsue), to conceal the fact that it was a sword. This mounting was used almost exclusively during the Meiji period, when the carrying of swords was banned. The blades used in these mountings were usually of poor quality.

This type of arrangement was most often used by period samurai who opposed the ban on openly carrying their swords but knew that open violation of the law often led to imprisonment and death.

Here are some pics!

Notice how the blade is straight and not curved...


And another one in beige


Shikomizue has appeared many times in Manga and anime. It has appeared a few times in the anime and manga series Rurouni Kenshin. It has also the weapon used by the fictional character Zatoichi, a blind bonesetter who is also an extremely talented warrior.

In another anime series, Bleach, Kisuke Urahara's zanpakutou is a shikomizue, when sealed. A similar sword is also used by Ukyo Tachibana from the video game series Samurai Shodown and Hibiki Takane from the The Last Blade.

[obscureLOVE]

Originally Posted by AoshiShinomori

*sigh* I don't have a katana but I really want one! *Hopes OL-chan will get him one *

So continuing with education on swords, here is a special type of katana:

Shikomizue

The Shikomizue (transalates to Japanese prepared cane) is a Japanese concealed sword disguised as a cane or walking stick ( Watch out for them grandad's ). It was sometimes used by government officials in Japan in the Meiji period.

The name Shikomi-zue is actually the name of a type of mounting though. The sword blade was placed in a cane-like mounting (tsue), to conceal the fact that it was a sword. This mounting was used almost exclusively during the Meiji period, when the carrying of swords was banned. The blades used in these mountings were usually of poor quality.

This type of arrangement was most often used by period samurai who opposed the ban on openly carrying their swords but knew that open violation of the law often led to imprisonment and death.

Here are some pics!

Notice how the blade is straight and not curved...


And another one in beige


Shikomizue has appeared many times in Manga and anime. It has appeared a few times in the anime and manga series Rurouni Kenshin. It has also the weapon used by the fictional character Zatoichi, a blind bonesetter who is also an extremely talented warrior.

In another anime series, Bleach, Kisuke Urahara's zanpakutou is a shikomizue, when sealed. A similar sword is also used by Ukyo Tachibana from the video game series Samurai Shodown and Hibiki Takane from the The Last Blade.

*giggles*
i won't one too i can buy you one and than you can buy me one back *smiles
deal?^^

[CoolNard]

Katars are my favourite kinda weapon though ^_^ Yeah, the deal a lot ofdamage when you use three blades XD One more thing i wanna know though, is which class of warriors use them the most (as weapons)?

Oooo.. The shikomizue!! I've heard sooo much about it!! Thanks for posting it up, Ao-kun!!

[Vesperd]

I walk around london with a samurai in my backpack.. just incase.. for self defence, ya know? I'd like to hang some samurais in my room for decoration, but alot of people come to my house everyday, so.. i feel kinda uneasy.

[NewKatana]

Originally Posted by obscureLOVE

does anyone have a really katana at home?^^

I have 2 Katanas, 1 tiger sword, 4 ninja swords, and a dragon sword(just for looks).
plus I have 2 dagers and 2 knifes.

I was trained on the tiger sword, and on a tie chi sword but those are chinese weapons not japanese.

all together i have 12 sharp and deadly weapons hanging around my room. u got 2 feel safe when ur sleeping in there

[dragonrazor]

just to clarify....most people ASSUME that all straight katana are ninja swords...

ALL NINJA SWORDS ARE DOUBLE EDGED

thank you

moving right along, some samurai used straight, singleedged katana for stealth missions, because they could be worn on the back and removed quickly from their sheaths.

[obscureLOVE]

Originally Posted by NewKatana

I have 2 Katanas, 1 tiger sword, 4 ninja swords, and a dragon sword(just for looks).
plus I have 2 dagers and 2 knifes.

I was trained on the tiger sword, and on a tie chi sword but those are chinese weapons not japanese.

all together i have 12 sharp and deadly weapons hanging around my room. u got 2 feel safe when ur sleeping in there

awwwwwwwwwwwwwwww i wont one too damn a adore katana's
yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay

[kokunin]

There is a style of sword called kage ryu in japan...and they have BIIIIG swords....

here's takamuku miyoji
Kage-ryu