Some JAPAN staff

[Duke_of_vampires]

hi guys!
For my new art i look some info about samurai swords.

Could some one tell me, is it true:
"However Gilbertson, Oscar Ratti, and Adele Westbrook state that a sword is called a tachi when hung from the obi (belt or sash) with the edge down, and the same sword becomes a katana when worn edge up thrust through the girdle." ???

And could some one translate me this two symbols? i know that first mean "fat", but im not sure that it's only meaning.
太, 鋏

THANKS

[Wася]

no, that's not true

katana is infantry sword worn through the belt, with the edge up
tachi is cavalry sword fasten with girdle, with edge down

[kaga]

Hi Duke,

太

The meaning of this kanji is "thick". Then, use for the fat person as well.

太い腕 : a thick arm

A tachi you said is written, "太刀" in kanji.


鋏

The meaning of this kanji is "scissors" or "shear".

[shoeach]

>Wacя,you’re great!
I admire your knowledge of Japanese sword.
You seem to have mastered some Japanese martial arts (BUDO).

As Wacя already explained, the edge of “Tachi” is down (which is suitable for fighting on riding on horse) and “Katana” (the edge is up) is suitable for fighting on the ground.

Well, attached images are for Duke’s reference. Left image is “Tachi” and middle is “Katana (Wakizashi)”.
And, I attached also traditional Japanese scissors image on right side.

HTH


Syuichi

[Duke_of_vampires]

Big Thanks, people!
Really useful info.
I know a lot about Japanese swords and Japan as well, but this info that i found make me doubt.

Вася, спасибо ^__~
kaga, domo, now meaning of kanji is clear for me
shoeach, thanks for refs,

arigato!

[Duke_of_vampires]

by the way
if tachi is writing as 太刀, than does it mean "thick sword"?
As i now, 刀 is sword, katana...?

And one more thing, is in the "katana" word some thing that mean 'that worn through the belt'?

[Wася]

Duke_of_vampires There is a good resource concerned with japanese sword, but currently it's temporary down. If it would wake up, I will let you know.

shoeach Not great, but I was engaged for 5 years in judo (20-25 years ago) and 5 years in yoshinkan for now. And my coach (67-years old Englishman who got his 1st dan from Shioda, and now he is 6th) even allowed me to touch his $60K katana couple of times .

[shoeach]

Originally Posted by Duke_of_vampires

by the way
if tachi is writing as 太刀, than does it mean "thick sword"?
As i now, 刀 is sword, katana...?
And one more thing, is in the "katana" word some thing that mean 'that worn through the belt'?

“tachi(太刀)” doesn’t mean “thick sword”

The resource explains as follows.
(summary)
The etymology of tachi is "断ち(this character is also read as "ta-chi")" which means "cutting off".
太 is read as "ta" as well, so "太刀" is phonetic equivalent of "断ち".

Yes, 刀 is sword which is read as “katana”.
And, to be exact, “katana” is a generic term for Japanese swords including "tachi" and “wakizashi(脇差)".
Generally, “wakizasi” is called “katana” here in Japan, so I suppose that you perhaps mean “wakizashi”.
If so, “wakizashi” was worn through the belt.
On the other hand, “tachi” is longer than “wakizasi” and was worn by being hung down on their waist. (Until the latter of the 16th century)

I hope that my poor English is transmitted to you well.

Originally Posted by Wася

shoeach Not great, but I was engaged for 5 years in judo (20-25 years ago) and 5 years in yoshinkan for now.

>Wася, as I thought you are great!


Syuichi

[Wася]

the site is brought to life
http://home.earthlink.net/~steinrl/nihonto.htm

[shoeach]

Originally Posted by Wася

the site is brought to life
http://home.earthlink.net/~steinrl/nihonto.htm

Wow!
Wася, I think that you’re a real martial artist (Aikido).


Syuichi

[Wася]

I visit this site only for fun.