Samurai Swords Guide

The Odachi has been carried on foot soldiers and was designed as a weapon for war versus cavalry and open field obligations. Nodachi were generally utilized on open battle fields because their span made their usage inside or close quarters difficult. They certainly were also an effective weapon against cavalry, though they weren't commonly used. Nodachi were seldom employed for several reasons:

The blade has been more Challenging to forge than your normal-sized sword

The nodachi demanded greater strength to correctly wield

During times of peace the sword was worn slung across the back as a symbol of status. This really is distinctive because nearly all Japanese swords like the katana, wakizashi, and tachi were worn at the belt or waist; yet it wasn't "drawn" from the back. The Nodachi was more challenging to wield due to its unnatural dimensions and weight, but like any weapon, could be exceedingly deadly if the warrior believed it was skilled. The size of the blade made the nodachi a grisly weapon when wielded with a skilled warrior. The amount of the nodachi's hilt varied between twelve to thirteen inches (30 to 33 centimeters). Its cutting capability and range exceeded that of a katana, due to its weight and size. Legend says that the nodachi could cleave a warrior and his horse in two with one blow.

The point of Nodachi

The aim of Nodachi could be categorized as follows:

A) As an offering into a Shrine or Gods. Some Nodachi were committed with ivory to acquire a war, others were placed in Shrines as mythical swords from mythology.

B) As a weapon.

From explanations in old texts, such as for instance "Heike-monogatari, Taihei-ki" let's Odachi were used by soldiers throughout battles.

C) As a sign for an army.

Some Odachi are too long for practical usage. They cannot be utilised in a conflict however it is stated that they could have already been used as a symbol of a military, such as flags and spears. Further research is required to confirm this notion.

D) As a fad within a certain period. Some swords were used for ceremonies.

E) To demonstrate the swordsmith's skill.

The Creation of Nodachi

Nodachi are very difficult to produce.

A) A lot of steel is required to produce a Nodachi and it takes longer to produce than a normal sword. However to make a good Nodachi it is important to hammer the steel immediately.

B) A Nodachi is created with teamwork. Perfect teamwork is required to earn a good one.

C) More power is needed in quenching and tempering a Nodachi than a normal sword.

D) Special facilities must be required. For example the quenching tank has to be bigger than that used for normal swords.

E) The system of polishing differs. Odachi need to be hung from the ceiling or put in a stationary position to be glistening, unlike ordinary swords that are transferred over the polishing stone.

How to Utilize Nodachi

Nodachi that were used as weapons were too long for Samurai to carry on their waists like ordinary swords. There were two methods in which Odachi could be carried. One technique was to carry it in your back. This was impractical nevertheless, as it was hopeless for the Samurai carrying the samurai swords to draw it immediately. The other method was to carry the Nodachi by hand. The trend through the Muromachi age was to get the Samurai carrying the Nodachi to really have a follower to help him draw on it.

Nodachi sword play fashions focused on downward chops and differing wields compared to that of blades.