here it are some new ones...
awwww i have an uncle yaaaaaaay:rheart: :D

OMG OMG OMG! Look at those tsuba! Phenomenal... *Hugs OL-chan back*

So for all us people out here wondering how in heavens name the Katana was inspired here is an interesting japanese "tradition tale" on the making of Katana... Just imagine you were sitting by the fireside, listening to your Japanese granny telling it to you :D :D

Traditional Belief:
According to tradition the first Japanese sword blade was made by the swordsmith Amakuni Yasutsuna about the year 700. Amakuni, his son Amakura and a number of other smiths were employed by the emperor to make weapons for his warriors. One day the emperor and his warriors passed by Amakuni’s forge as they returned from battle, and instead of greeting Amakuni as he usually did, the emperor totally ignored Amakuni and all the swordsmiths. As the warriors straggled back Amakuni noticed that many of them were carrying broken swords; the weapons he had forged had snapped in the heat of battle. He closely examined the weapons and swore an oath to make a sword that would not break and so regain the emperors favour. (So reminiscent of anime :rolleyes:)

Amakuni and his son locked themselves in their forge and prayed to the Shinto gods for seven days and nights. Then they set to work, refining the metal of the blade and applying all their knowledge to make the perfect sword. After a month of work they emerged with a sword that curved slightly and had only one edge. Pleased with their first effort they refined the process, and when the warriors returned from their battles the following year, none were broken.

Here is some true but gross information on ancient techniques... I'm putting it up hidden so those faint of heart needn't read it. I repeat, THIS POST IS TRUE BUT LEFT ME WITH A SOUR TASTE. You would be well advised to skip it because it doesn't affect your over all knowledge nor the actual intent of this thread. Those willing to read it please do understand that I post it here to quote history and record the events that have truly happened centuries ago. I found this information while searching the web for a specific kind of Katana... and as we all know, history has clearly shown us one thing - We all have skeletons in the closet. This post simply provides more information about the swordsmith mentioned in my previous post, namely, Akamuni Yasutsuna.

I sincerely request all viewers - PLEASE DO NOT QUOTE THIS POST, I find it bad enough to read it once.

So here goes...

[Begin Information]

The smith would then sign his name on the tang and pass the blade onto specialist craftsmen who would polish the blade and fit the hilt, guard (tsuba) and other items of sword furniture. The finished blade was sometimes given to a professional sword tester who used the living bodies of condemned criminals or their corpses taken from the execution grounds to test the cutting power of a new sword. Twenty different cuts were used, beginning with severing the hand by cutting through the bones of the wrist and progressing through the thicker limbs of the body. The most difficult cut was known as ryo-kuruma (pair of wheels) which involved slicing through the hips and the thickest part of the spine. The results of the test were usually recorded on the nakago or sword tang, and it is not uncommon to find inscriptions on old swords giving details of the tests such as “two men cut” or “eight arms severed.” Some swords were so well made that in the hands of an expert swordsman they were capable of slicing through tremendous resistance. Some seventeenth century blades bear the inscription “mitsudo setsudan” (three bodies with one cut), and in the martial art of iai-jutsu (the art of drawing the sword) one of the techniques taught is capable of cutting a body in two by slicing through the torso from the right hip to the left shoulder. The terrible cutting power of the Japanese sword does not simply depend on the quality of the blade; it must be wielded by someone who knows how to cut, a skill developed by cutting through bundles made from wet straw or other materials.

[End Information]

:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: omg ....
WTF???
speechless i don't know what to say only omg....
:eek:

I know OL-chan *depressed sigh*... But we can't change history... just learn from mistakes :(... But not to worry, I'll buy you a...erm...wakizashi to cheer you up :marusmile:

Here's a nice weblink for everyone... It points to a wonderfully written essay by someone who knows what they are talking about (so at this point I'm obviously ruled out :D :D). The essay is too big to read in one swift sitting. However, it is a veritable cornucopia of information related to comparison of different swords and fighting styles that they were made for.

In summary the essay quotes that there is no "one best sword" but rather that differnt kids of swords were made for different fighting styles so the one best suited for a person will depend not only on the sword itself but also on the persons particular skill...

Enuff said, here's the link :D :
There Is No Best Sword

awww i have sooo cind uncle we could colect them...*smiles*
wooow that's cool but it's so long ....
some pics:<33333
i know that the last one is big sorry but i was so nice o.O

Measuring sword length
 

I have one last interesting post to make, but that requires some pre-requisite knowledge about measuring units of sword lengths, which I paste here:

Measuring unit for sword lengths:

The shaku is an archaic Japanese unit of length, approximately equal to the foot. As with other measurements, it was originally derived from nature: the average length between nodes on bamboo. Since 1891, the shaku has been defined to equal 10/33 meter (approximately 30.3 cm, or 11.93 inches), or 3.3 shaku to the meter. A single shaku is divided into 10 sun.

Another unit of length also called the shaku was used only for measuring cloth. This shaku measured 125/330 meter (approximately 37.9 cm, or 14.9 inches). When a distinction needed to be made between the two shaku, the cloth unit was referred to as kujirajaku (whale shaku, as the rulers for measuring cloth were made from whale whisker) and the other shaku was referred to as kanejaku (metal shaku).

While Japanese law required official use of these units be discontinued on March 31, 1966, the shaku is still used in some fields in Japan, such as traditional carpentry.

Of Practice and Purpose
 

@OL-chan - The photos were wonderful and you're right I did like the last one the best :D. In point of fact it was the second photo that was too long but no worries it fit into the page :D

Yep the essay was very long so I just pasted the link so it could be a quick reference for any time later :D...aaaand I'm only a good uncle because you're the best neice ever :D :rheart:... So without further ado...

This is my last post here for today, because if I post anything more, people will hit me on the head, stab me with a broadsword or slice me with a katana...actually... all three :D :D.

Nevertheless, here is some interesting information about sword types used during the beginning of your training and towards the later end of it. I found it as part of a web conversation. I am completely quoting someone else so all credit goes to them (web user names Jung_yul and Banza Joe):

From Jung_yul:

"Typically, you'll start with either a bokuto or an Iaito, or an unsharpened sword. The Iaito, in some cases, is a good sword in all other respects, but it most likely will not be tempered or forged, and it's got no cutting edge. It does, however, have a sharp tip which one must be mindful of. Shinken, or "real swords" are, to my limited understanding, generally reserved for more experienced Iaidoka... I believe that San Dan is the generally accepted rank for such a thing. In my mind, the only real difference between the two is in their weight... after all, you won't be using either against another blade or for tamashigiri, so blade strength shouldn't be an issue."

From Banza Joe:

"A lot of iai ryu will not practice with shinken until godan, some even less than sandan. Obviously an iaito is developed purely for safe iai practice. They are usually made from a steel alloy and are not sharp. Indeed most are said to be 'unsharpenable'. But whatever, you must NEVER try and cut with an iaito. It is not built for strength, the only thing it should cut, is the air. They are indeed quite a bit lighter than a shinken would be. Most iaitos have a a bo-hi (blood fuller) which adds to the lightness of the blades and gives a nice whoosh when cutting, although you usually have to cut properly to hear the whoosh.
Because iaitos are not used for contact, it should last you forever (ish)."

*smiles*
well if your going ----BAI BAI^^ than *hugs and kisess for the best uncle*:rheart: :D :D :pandahurray:


http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q...us.jpg:rheart:

got at least four modern variants for you, if i can ever find the fourth pic

aww damn
woooow not fair i'll loook for it again

Totally Sweeeeeeet! I so want them right now... BTW, the link in your post had "rheart" along with the url so it wouldn't open. You might want to edit your post so that there is a space between "rheart" and the URL :D

Ninja Duo 3000


Ninja 3000 Katana


Samurai 3000 Katana


Samurai 3000 Tanto

these are all from a scifi/fantasy set called Samurai 3000. they each have sheathes that lock securely to the hilt, and can only be removed by pressing a button/switch

The story behind the set, is that in the year 3000, the samurai have returned. They have used the best of ancient and modern practices to craft the best blades ever. Plasmium Alloy, handforged, razorsharp blades that can cut through anything and withstand anything. or something like that

OMG!!!!!!!!!
lufffffff it aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa:rheart: :rheart: :rheart:
woooow amazeing

And you actually own these!!!! Now I'm jealous.... *Drools over DR's collection...secretly plots to throw a sack of cement on DR's head and steal them while he's outcold :D :D*

PS:- Gotta head back to the hotel from work. I'll see ya'll in a bit

Edited: Oh yeah! The samurai katana is my favourite pick :D *I'm a sucker for curved blades*

i WISH i owned these...but they're like 400 dollars a piece x.x

no...um...let me see if i can find the ones i have, but they probably won't be pictures...

Black Dragon 3 piece set


Sapphire Dragon katana


and this one is the one i was literally arrested for carrying. I was brought up on and convicted of false charges by the testimony of a rookie cop who CLAIMED i attacked him, just like he CLAIMED he could tell just by looking at it that the false-edged stainless steel blade would have penetrated the much more durable titanium alloy plate in his body armor

both of the other sets were advertised as razorsharp, but they weren't. though my little brother cut himself on the tanto <<

Wow!!!! That looks so nice. It's a great design on the saya... *Makes plans to steal these too :D*

Wait you were arrested??!?? :eek: Why would a cop hold you up for carrying that item around? Is it against the law or was he just a dweeb?

it's not against the law in the slightest...the guy was just a paranoid rookie...i swear to you, he never once looked at me until AFTER i put the sword down...his eyes were glued to the sword, from the moment he started following me down the street for six blocks *was going to his mother's to display it for her*

Freaky! :eek: That sucks though. Maybe you really should have slashed him then :rolleyes:

i've been thinking i should have done something to earn the conviction, like assraped him with it >>

Hahahaha :rofl:... yep the standard "In through the outgate" move :D... Before I begin derailing I'll stop bcoz I can't post anymore on this thread today for fear of being hit on the head >.<'

hmmm....i have this urge to post something i always liked from Japanese weapons...i just have to find the right name/pics


Kusarigama, the weapon of choice for Anubis of Loyalty, from Ronin Warriors

flippin sweet...

Alrighty guys I've said it once I'll say it again!

PLEASE DONT QUOTE the pics in a respose.

@Koku-san - May I humbly request you to edit your previous post so as to remove the img and /img tags from your post reply to DR? It helps load the page faster this way and I'd be grateful :vsign:. Thanks in advance for your help!

@DR - Sweeet Weapon pic! I also remember that the Kusarigama is also used by Kohaku in the famous anime series "Inu Yasha"

sorry...i tried, can't seem to get rid of that one...

No worries... Thank you so much! It's really easier for me to see the page now! :vsign:... erm do you own any swords perhaps? :rolleyes:

this came from trueswords.com
did you know that sephiroth, in kingdom hearts does iaijutsu...

if i could move out, broke as a joke right now, I'd have A TON OF SWORDS AND GUNS...o wait, i have some things from th old days, liek a bush ax...

got bankai zagetsu

@Koku-san - HOLY MOTHER OF GOD! What a photo! That blade looks ultra delicious (not that I'm a sword swallower or anything :D). Such an even length distribution between the hilt and the blade. I'm totally in love with it...

A bush Axe?! :eek: I didn't know you did executions :D... j/k!

Actually post 'em up if you have any pics. Personally owned blades always take a special spot on this thread :rolleyes:

Edited: What is that? Do you mean bankai Zangetsu from bleach? Thats a sweet sword, long and straight and in my personal favourite colour BLACK! Post a pic up if you find one and add some text about why you like the blade or something! That would be so nice. Personally, I like Senbonzakura the best. I'll try and get a pic to post :rolleyes:, though I'd probably hold off that post until I've finished a special post for DR I'm still trying to find info on... >.<"

Edited2: Ah! The photo finally turned up and it says it all :D :vsign:

this almost made me cry it was sooo beautiful..
thing about the bush ax is that it s afarmer's equipment, yet, when i saw it i thought it was like a BIG handle and small BLADE...so its realy for clearing roads...

I wish i was in this group so I could make some of these, man...I WANT TO MAKE SWORDS, GUNS, EVERYTHING...including planes, so i can paintball in the sky... DO YOU LAUGH!!! :)jk

i like the zangetsu, bankai, from bleach because its nice and sleek and, i can't believe I'm using this word for a freakin' sword, SEXY!!!

hmm? oooo, i just thought of something. but i can't find the actual item...i've seen it once and only once, then a bunch of knockoffs showed up online. the hilt design is wrong, or the blade is too long and thin, and stuff like that...let me clarify. someone made an exact replica of Zack's Buster )the one Cloud uses in the game). after that, people started making different versions of it, and claiming it was the one from the game. but you can tell just by looking at it that it's not

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
i'm drooling over a knife but it's sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo nice damn :rheart: :D

*dances a jig* i have good news. i get my collection back, minus the galaxy samurai, which i'll have to replace. but since that only costs 20 dollars...

all i have to do is wait for notice in the mail. they told me to wait till i got something in the mail about it from the courts, because by that time, the police will have the same notice.

Wow! :eek: :eek: Hooray! Now you can really spear that retard not to mention put up pics of them on this thread! This is great news! Way to go pal!

um....as tempting as that first part is....

anyways, before i can put pics of them up, I'd have to get a digital camera. however, i did put up the product pics of everything except the recurve bow. i may get the galaxy ninja, instead of the galaxy samurai. the only reason i got IT was because the sheath was black, instead of red and black or yellow and black. that's the only piece i have to replace. i'll need to add to my collection, of course. i have a few pieces in mind, though some i'll have to wait until i have a larger amount of cash on hand.