[Katori Shinto Ryu] Otake Sensei's recommended katana specs
Dec 30, 2023 21:04:12 GMT
Post by swordfriendrc on Dec 30, 2023 21:04:12 GMT
I finally got my hands on this book by Otake Sensei. It is pretty expensive and hard to find.
Otake sensei scatterly mentioned the specifications on the "practical sword" he would recommend. Note that this is his own recommendation and might not apply to all cases & Ryuhas.
Blade
1. Length:
No longer than 2.35 shake for an average Japanese male's height (the book was published in 2007, so I think it would be around 170cm). Otake sensei appraised a shorter sword and his own opinion is that it is best to choose a sword that fits your own preference and body, and a shorter sword will not prevent you from becoming a master swordsman (at least in ancient Japan). An example he mentioned is Yagyu's Rensaya, one of the greatest swordsmen of the shingake-ryu uses a daito (long sword) of merely 23.6 inches
2. Curvature:
0.7 inches
3. Balance:
Not tip-heavy. He argues that a tip-heavy sword can compensate for the swordsman's lack of skill and might be desired when cutting through armor (though in KSR we always aim for the unarmored areas). Yet in bujutsu, such swords put you at a disadvantage and are not necessary. Tsuba should be selected to balance out the weight of the sword for superb balance.
4. Kissaki:
shorter, since o-kissaki will break easier, and also make noto slightly harder.
5. Sharpness:
no need to be very sharp since with the right technique the katana with moderate sharpness can do the job while being more durable
6. Hamon:
thin suguha hamon for durability. A temper line closer to the shinogi looks pretty but is highly prone to breakage and ought to be avoided
Koshirae
1. Tsuka length:
8 sun
2. Style:
No recommendation, but Otake sensei himself is using a tensho koshirae (light brown ito) for shooting the demo pictures in this book.
Otake sensei scatterly mentioned the specifications on the "practical sword" he would recommend. Note that this is his own recommendation and might not apply to all cases & Ryuhas.
Blade
1. Length:
No longer than 2.35 shake for an average Japanese male's height (the book was published in 2007, so I think it would be around 170cm). Otake sensei appraised a shorter sword and his own opinion is that it is best to choose a sword that fits your own preference and body, and a shorter sword will not prevent you from becoming a master swordsman (at least in ancient Japan). An example he mentioned is Yagyu's Rensaya, one of the greatest swordsmen of the shingake-ryu uses a daito (long sword) of merely 23.6 inches
2. Curvature:
0.7 inches
3. Balance:
Not tip-heavy. He argues that a tip-heavy sword can compensate for the swordsman's lack of skill and might be desired when cutting through armor (though in KSR we always aim for the unarmored areas). Yet in bujutsu, such swords put you at a disadvantage and are not necessary. Tsuba should be selected to balance out the weight of the sword for superb balance.
4. Kissaki:
shorter, since o-kissaki will break easier, and also make noto slightly harder.
5. Sharpness:
no need to be very sharp since with the right technique the katana with moderate sharpness can do the job while being more durable
6. Hamon:
thin suguha hamon for durability. A temper line closer to the shinogi looks pretty but is highly prone to breakage and ought to be avoided
Koshirae
1. Tsuka length:
8 sun
2. Style:
No recommendation, but Otake sensei himself is using a tensho koshirae (light brown ito) for shooting the demo pictures in this book.