Why Samurai Hardly Used the Katana #Shorts

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How Samurai Trained Physically & Mentally Through Katana Training and Zen Meditation

*The content is based on personal studies and experience
There is no intention of denying other theories and cultural aspects

When you imagine a samurai fighting, wouldn’t he be using a katana? However in the past when they actually existed, it was a weapon that they actually hardly used.

During the war eras, the samurai would mainly fight with long range weapons like bows, guns, and spears (including naginata) which were most effective on the battlefield.

In iaido (the katana martial art), we are taught that “a battle with a katana is done within a tatami mat distance (182cm/71in).” So you can understand how close you have to be in order to attack your opponent with a katana, and it would be very strange/unusual to try to use a short range weapon on the battlefield.

Every samurai would carry a katana with them, but it was the last weapon they would use only in extremely close combat or for defensive reasons. In other words, if you are using a sword, it means that you are in a very desperate situation and have no other choice.

During the peaceful Edo period (1603-1868) with no wars, the samurai were always required to always have two katana (one long and one short) by law, as a symbol of their class authority.

However, they would hardly have any occasions to use them either, because if you didn’t have a good reason and an eye witness to prove its legitimacy, even just showing your blade in public could get you thrown in jail or sentenced to death. So the samurai were taught… “If you're not prepared to die, don't pull out your katana."

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[LetsaskShogo]

▼Learn more about this topic▼
How Samurai Trained Physically & Mentally Through Katana Training and Zen Meditation

*The content is based on personal studies and experience
There is no intention of denying other theories and cultural aspects

When you imagine a samurai fighting, wouldn’t he be using a katana? However in the past when they actually existed, it was a weapon that they actually hardly used.

During the war eras, the samurai would mainly fight with long range weapons like bows, guns, and spears (including naginata) which were most effective on the battlefield.

In iaido (the katana martial art), we are taught that “a battle with a katana is done within a tatami mat distance (182cm/71in).” So you can understand how close you have to be in order to attack your opponent with a katana, and it would be very strange/unusual to try to use a short range weapon on the battlefield.

Every samurai would carry a katana with them, but it was the last weapon they would use only in extremely close combat or for defensive reasons. In other words, if you are using a sword, it means that you are in a very desperate situation and have no other choice.

During the peaceful Edo period (1603-1868) with no wars, the samurai were always required to always have two katana (one long and one short) by law, as a symbol of their class authority.

However, they would hardly have any occasions to use them either, because if you didn’t have a good reason and an eye witness to prove its legitimacy, even just showing your blade in public could get you thrown in jail or sentenced to death. So the samurai were taught… “If you're not prepared to die, don't pull out your katana."

[yg]

"If you're not prepared to die don't pull out your katana"

That's have a deep meaning, thank you!

[themandance]

Imagine spending years training in the way of the sword to kill the samurai who killed your father, countless hours of pain and misery to become a demon with the blade, you approach the man and he pulls out a pistol and kills you

[nievesshiratama]

Basically the katana is the same as the combat knife for the soldiers in the military, to be reduced to using it means you're neck-deep in trouble.

[AntonioZL]

The same applies to most societies in history. The weapon of choice for the battlefield was almost always a spear or a kind of polearm along with ranged weapons. The reason is quite simple: if you can outrange your opponent, you can't be harmed.

[yosiahw]

Real Samurai: Jousting archers
Anime Samurai: I can slice planets in half.

[styleslv]

"If you're not prepared to die don't pull out your katana" has almost as much energy as lelouch saying
"The only ones who should kill are the ones who are prepared to be killed "

[rc]

Nothing looks cooler than a Samurai or Knight in full armor using firearms. That mix of old and new is complete eye candy.

[blveberrydraws]

"if you're not prepared to die don't pull your katana" Is such a raw phrase

[mikotagayuna]

It's funny to see anime protagonists boast about their katana skills now that we know that they actually mean "I could not use a bow or gun to save my life".

[tuffjiggly]

It'd be great if you covered the firearms usage by the samurai. A lot of people see them as only using swords, bows, and horses completely forgetting that they had access to firearms in the later centuries

[mehornyasfk]

Remember, switching to a katana is faster than reloading your bow.

[sal]

Just imagine a Samurai charging onto battle in horseback with Double pump shotgun 💀

[ForganMreeman-]

Wise man once said
"Those who lived by the sword, get shot by the one who don't"

[Mewwiee]

Enemy: *Pulls out blade



Samurai: *Pulls out musket
"parry this you filthy casual"

[stuff]

Huh Miyamoto Musashi clearly ignored that one

[R.Merkhet]

Dang! I didn't know the penalty for unjustly exposing the blade. Your last line sent chills down my spine.

[YTPrule]

Historically they were closer to mounted bowmen. They’d prefer spears if they used a melee weapon on horseback.

[the_usual_icyasacocoair-ty]

This makes Japanese art (mostly samurai) posters even better because you can look at the painting/poster of a samurai holding his katana means that you're witnessing his most desperate time that is captured by the moment

[SkepticalCaveman]

The same in Europe, the sword was just a backup weapon for the spear and polearms.