A suggestion for future videos like this. When you have segments of sparring having a tally for who’s winning the interactions would make those segments more interesting and satisfying to get to the end of. Also loving these recent videos, your personality bounces off the other hosts really well and the skits that you are in are just a delight to watch. Can’t wait for more!
18:59 so to add more to this a TH-camr called let's ask shojo who is very knowledgeable in ancient Japanese history and Japanese swordsmanship has a five-minute video about this that goes in more depth about this topic even saying that till 2018 they forced children to use their right hand it's a huge cultural thing and he even mentions three famous left-handed samurai that might've been left-handed and a short which he explains that the right hand is used for control and the left hand is for power giving left-handed samurai more power over right-handed samurai if they get used to it Also would like to say he was trained and showed ways were using a katana one handed is more beneficial its on his second channel let's ask seki sensei were he's asking a 22nd head master
_transports medieval dude to modern times_ "So settle this debate, is this a broad sword or a claymore or a long sword or what!?" "That? That's a stabby long boy"
I'll admit that years ago, I was very much one of the "you must block with the flat of the blade and never the edge" sort. Thankfully I'm willing to learn and grow.
I'm old and I learnt swordsmanship before the internet was a thing. Always baffled me where this idea came from for European swords. I've always thought of it as suba based fuddlore being misapplied by those who don't sword. Where did you get it from?
@@baconghoti I've also heard similar notions from Asian single-edged sword users. I think the historical context was that when swords were made with material much inferior to modern steel, learning to proficiently parry with the flat helped to preserve the sword during frequent, rigorous usage. Apparently a lot of people overlearned the lesson.
What i have seen in this argument its mostly people doing asian sword fighting like chinese stuff like that. Just looking at european cross guard its pretty obvious blocking with the edge is really the thing if you rely on the guard to keep you safe. Even with single edged asian style swords with small guards i doubt person actually fighting would care much about edge damage cos you are literally blocking to safe your life who cares about the sword at that point
Pedagogically you do not block because it develops bad habits in both you and your training partners. This is even the case in FIE fencing: defence is always either proactive e.g. parry-riposte and beat-attack or passive e.g. distance control and center line control, no one should train reactive defense e.g. successful parry - forgotten riposte. Kata in traditional kenjutsu are purely pedagogical, thus few blocks.
@@phillipjiang1593 most of my 'historical' swordfighting has been done with a flat guard and using the flat of the blade is just begging for broken fingers. It doesn't really matter if the edge of the strong of the blade would be impaired, it's not the bit that normally hit's the opponent. As the poster between us said a block/parry isn't a singular activity and alignment immediately after the disengage is super important.
It's almost as if something designed and made to chop things up really hard should be able to withstand being gently settled on the 'wrong' orientation.
I think sometimes people forget that tools (including weapons) are meant to be used. Yes, take care of your tools. Yes, don't downright abuse your tools. But also...they're tools. Use them. If they're meant as decorations or archival pieces, then whatever. But if you're taking them out and using them, don't get so hung up on them being...used. I'm not as much of a sword guy, but I've seen this a lot with firearms, and a friend of mine has seen this with cars. Some people pretty up their shiny new guns and try to baby them like they're afraid of seeing any wear and tear on them. News flash, firearms use contained explosions. There will be wear and tear no matter what, as long as you're using them. With cars, some people get these really expensive and really powerful cars...and are afraid of ever taking them out. They leave them in their garages, under a tarp, never even seeing the light of day. It can't even really collect dust. People do this with shoes too. I get it. A new pair of shoes looks nice. Fine. But shoes are tools too. If you use them, they will get dirty. You can take care of them and avoid abusing them, but some people have this obsession with never getting their shoes dirty at all.
With cars you need to use them. During my brief period in dealership maintenance we had a guy come in with a beautiful Corvette with a seized engine. Why was it seized? It had less than 50 miles on it after 3 years. The guy never drove it. Tools MUST be used to keep them usable. Otherwise they just fall apart.
@@Benjanuvayeah. My dad had his 70s Ford Mustangs, which he would rather watch rot than let anyone but himself use them... And by that point he was at a point where, due to health reasons, he *couldn't* drive anymore. He drove each of them all of once, and those being the day he got them and put them in the driveway as a glorified ornament.
And then you have people like me who somehow overwork and overuse their tools. I regularly wear significant holes in my shoes within a year of getting them. My last pair of shoes, I had decided to go with some heavy duty boots hoping that would last me longer. The shoes, in fact, did not last me longer. And the bizarre thing is I do not run very often, I do not visit rough terrain with any frequency. I spend a good amount of time in doors. I am not stressing my shoes terribly much and yet they wear out like I am running a marathon on the weekly.
@@redstonewarrior0152 That depends on what kind of shoes you're using and how well you're taking care of them, and also I suppose what you're using them for. Some shoes are advertised as heavy duty, but really aren't. Some shoes will only last a long time if you take good care of them. And sometimes, you might just have bad luck with shoes. I know I wore out my tactical boots faster than I was happy with, so I decided to try higher quality leather work boots. They cost a whole lot more, but I'm also hoping that they'll last me a whole lot longer, as long as I regularly take care of them. I know people who's well-conditioned leather boots have lasted them decades. I've heard of some that last entire generations and get passed down. Good leather that is well cared for can last absurdly long times. Granted, these boots have needed resoling and repairs, but that's part of the care for them.
A fair number of these points could be resolved by simply asking the questions "Is this sword a tool that I use to do a job and may need to use to save my life or is it an expensive toy/art piece that will be difficult to replace if I damage it?" While I treat my tools well, and some of them are expensive, I do treat them very differently from my toys.
I love your way of approaching it. On the battlefield, the sword is a tool to defend yourself from being killed. And as far as damage goes, it's a lot easier to fix nicks in a sword blade than nicks in your body.
Your analogy is great. When I bought my house, all the tools I collected over the years went from being perfectly clean and in like new condition, to dirty, sometimes slightly damaged and heavily used. My tools went from expensive toys that I used rarely, to tools that I needed to use to get a job done.
Work car vs weekend car. Casual clothes vs dress clothes. Dishes vs grandma's fine china. We do this quite often with lots of items and rarely give it a second thought.
I kept questioning if shad intentionally kept saying "pendantry" to trigger my pedantry about pronunciation but in fairness it's genuinely more difficult to be certain what you mean. on the other hand maybe I'm just unnecessarily pedantic😄
14:08 This reminds me of the story Dalinar tells in the Stormlight Archives about how to properly tie a Takama. You MUST wrap the belt 3 times. All others are wrong was what his sword master taught him. Everyone else wore 2 wraps, but his master insisted on 3. Well, after his masters passing, he tracked down his masters master, and his master before him, all the way back to the origin. He found a slight man, very small for a swordsman, and when he asked why 3 wraps instead of 2, the ancient master replied "Because I am so short, if I only wrap my belt twice I will trip over it."
Reminds me of the story of the guards defending a bench on a military base, basically they’d stand and defend the bench all day and not sit on it, well the active commander traces back the previous commanders to the first one who put the rule, and when asked the first one responded “is the paint still not dry?!”
I’m reminded of a buddy of mine who insists on a very prescribed way of tactically handling firearms. He’s an obsessive about using a aggressively far forward C clamp grip, using magnified optics (never irons if you can avoid it on ANYTHING), use squared stances, get the longest possible length of pull, get leg holsters for handguns, and never ever use the slide release or bolt catch. My friend was quite the dogmatist about this stuff, and somewhat intrigued, but much more consterned, I asked about taking a lesson with his guru. And it all made instant sense the moment I saw the man. His guru is a very tall and lanky man, nearly 7 FEET tall, with limbs, fingers, and neck to match. Naturally his, insistence on exaggeratedly, aggressive, outsized grips and stances, as well as oversized equipment, came from a practical necessity that anything else was simply too small for him to operate effectively. He would end up cramped on his equipment, and his fingers would be too big to hit the proper spots. And he was much less dogmatic in person, having his preferred way to do things, but understanding that most people were significantly smaller than him and some like me are vastly smaller (5’4”) than him (6’7”) and need to use very different techniques. About the only things I couldn’t get him to budge on ultimately were squared stances, aggressive grips, and magnified optics.
@@Mortablunt one thing to remember is that equipment dictates technique. Square on stance makes sense if you wear modern rifle armor. Similarly 50s revolver stances made sense with the clothing and style of the time. You need to always judge with a understanding of what influenced the style.
Gerald Darrell wrote about a giraffe in a zoo that always had his water warm. Nobody remembered why; it had no obvious benefit. Eventually they bothered to find out: the giraffe had been sick when he got into the zoo, and keeping the water warm was the first instruction the keepers received
I actually think the whole "you shouldn't rest a Katana with the edge pointing down" was started by some mall ninja who looked up how they are displayed in Museums in Japan, where every Katana is in fact resting with the edge upwards... and every Tachi has the edge downwards, because the reason is so that the 'mei' the writing on the tang is readable.
Most of the stuff begins with practical reasons. The Tachi began essentially as a cavalry saber. It was positioned to hang down at the side of the rider, so stay in easy reach without getting hung up on the horse or the riding tackle. To dry it, the warrior could make a great pool upwards across their body, which would clear the blade and their hand away from their horse’s head, and bring it naturally into a fighting position. Another reason to carry it down is because we spend so much time hanging relatively loosely having the scabbard rest on the blunt back, kept the wood off the sharp edge to protect it. The katana is essentially an infantry sword. This means it has to be carried on foot at all times mostly, and it was also used at a time in warfare became more about tight formations, as well as combat within fortified strongholds. So, having a shorter blade that was straighter allowed for more compact swordplay within the tight confines of the new style of fighting. And without the head of the horse in the way, the caring position change to allow for a faster straight draw, which brought the weapon into engagement, faster, enabling virtually a straight line initial attack or defense. And because the katana was carried fairly tightly in a belt, the sword was carried edge up, rest up one side on the scabbard to keep the sharp edge protected. Overtime does very basic concerns about how to transport the sword effectively how to get it into the fight faster, and how to protect the sharp edge, morphed into aesthetic concerns, and eventually into ceremonial traditions. It’s no different than how military today still practice. Their recruits on close order drill originally designed for muskets, even though we use metallic cartridges from box magazines.
Also cultural reason that the position the sword is displayed in the past indicated whether someone's clan is currently engaged in a long term conflict with another clan.
If you use excessive oil with your katana blades, and you hang them with the blade up Oil will drip out of the Sheath, vs. hanging it with the Blade down will contain the Oil on the cutting edge coating the blade and keeping air away from the edge.
That's interesting. I first heard katana's should be stored edge up 30 years ago from a Japanese Iaido Master, In Japan, where I was studying Iaido. Not exactly some "Mall Ninja".
@GunGirl1997 Yeah, in a best case scenario a sword wouldn't have to exist. Weaponry is an essential for defense, certainly necessary to keep around - but if you don't have to hit things, then that is preferable, since if you have to hit things than things are going badly.
This can be applied to any kind of craft, skill, art, etc. In art, for example: New art movements get created by those who've mastered "the traditional rules" of their craft. Once the learned rules become limitations to the craft they are altered or gotten rid of so that new art forms can be established. Rules create boundaries but creativity has no bounds.
There's one truth authors like George R. R. Martin will refuse to admit. Their "realism" and "historical accuracy" are mere excuses to their biased positions
Tod's workshop has a good video about how modern Medieval enthusiasts expect perfection in their sword production, when the reality was, most swords that were made were unsellable in today's market. People back in the day preferred functionality, and being able to produce said weapons quickly and cost effectively.
@@the_real_ch3 Exactly, but also how you craft those swords has changed, so even replicas of Bronze swords are TOO perfect. Next time you're in a museum, or looking at a historical sword, look at it closely, and you'll notice, that they're not symmetrical, and there's a load of imperfections. Since I've seen it, I can't unseen it, and modern swords look so perfect, that they're kind of soulless.
" omg the swords were outside in the air and not sealed in a hermetically sealed case. The moisture is going to destroy them" .... I've actually heard this before sadly and the worse thing was it was a damn mall ninja sword
I am just gonna drop the Whiskey Tribe Motto in here: "The "best" whisk(e)y is the whiskey you like to drink, the way you like to drink it." This applies here as well
I have practiced blade arts (spear, sword, knife, etc.) for over a decade. Sure, if you are practicing a specific strike, perry, ward, or whatever, yes it can be appropriate to practice a certain way... But when it comes to actually using blades, you do whatever it takes to win. Even if that means opening up with pocket sand.
10:50 - if placing your sword into the *thing designed for the sword to be placed in* slightly roughly damages it, I'd hate for to have that be my weapon in combat
Yeah I don't get where people (or at least someone) got that stupid idea. It is a weapon made from STEEL! It is not some delicate flower that breaks if you just look at it wrong. Saya could perhaps be damaged BUT if that was the case then I am 100% sure it means it had hidden structural damage already and it would have broken anyway at some point.
@@MaaZeus The idea that widely used melee weapons, designed to be used with force, would get damaged that easily baffles me. Silly traditions probably existed, but self-sabotaging traditions rarely stand the test of time, particularly when fighting for your life is concerned.
Using a bow like shad does is awkward as fuck if youve ever tried it. It has to do with your right hand fingers having to slip to the right on release, with no limb to provide resistance against the arrow. Sure shad might be able to force a shot like that and have it come out acceptable, especially with deep knocks, but theres no good reason to place the arrow on the right in western style archery.
@@habibishapur it's called preference my guy, sure other ways might be better but if that is what someone is more comfortable with than there's no grounds for anyone else to say otherwise, maybe it has to do with some physical trait or something but either way, you can't be sure your way if doing it is better for them than their way of doing it
the "blood groove" thing is my biggest gripe against the uneducated lol 😆 great video. ps. im a musician who wholeheartedly believes that there's no correct way to hold an instrument either. if you like to put your thumb around the neck of a guitar, great it might give you better grip. if you like to prop it behind the neck because it gives you better reach, equally great. the endgame is the result, not how it was done!
I had a karate instructor as a kid who was one of those old school weebs who were obsessed with samurai while knowing very little of them that isnt bullshit, and he would claim that the slanted tip of a katana was to prevent it from getting stuck in someone. I have no idea how he thought the physics worked there
somebody thought up 'blood groove' cuz it sounds cool. i like the real name 'fuller', better, simply because ot creates no false expectation for the purpose of those grooves...
My father was a boiler maker and knife maker for 40 plus years he actually used spit on whatever material, ceramic ect he was using when sharpening knives. Steel filing would sort of collect rather then disperse because of the consistency and at the right angle act like a micro filament resulting in a truly evil edge.
The whole bit about being able to do whatever you want to your own property is something the whole internet needs to be reminded of, because it applies to a lot more than just swords.
Treating your property like crap is one thing. Showing people terrible and dangerous ways to use their property is a whole different thing. People have been maimed and killed by following stupid advice on youtube and other social media videos. Treating your property on crap doesn't harm anyone else, but if you do it on the internet, you get what you deserve.
19:00 Oh Shad, you underestimate how subservient and collective the Japanese are (for the most part historically). Any of those "outliers" you are appealing to that "may have existed" were either thrown out of the village, or went fishing never to return. Remember now, these people were the kind to ride their fighter planes into their enemies for the sake of their emperor. The "exceptions" who did not "follow the rules", in modern times became Americans or Brazilians, or stayed in Japan and died via bullying. Jesting aside- it really was their practice to "correct" left-handedness- and an easy routine house inspection would have caught any "outliers" trying to do anything "different" from the norm. The nail that sticks out gets hammered.
The inner pedant in me feels compelled to mention that even many types of relatively soft ground are actually made up of lots of fine abrasive particles, so depending on the particular soil composition, it can potentially be almost like plunging your sword into sandpaper. But I agree that even doing that every once in a while is probably not that big a deal, particularly if it's a "working sword" to begin with (and if it's not, what are you doing whipping it around outside in the first place?) Worst case, you might get some scratches or dulling on the tip (which can be fixed, or, y'know, ignored really). People seem to forget that these swords were all originally _tools_ which were used in _combat,_ one of the absolutely least "delicate" places you can possibly be. If they couldn't withstand simple things like this, or even far worse, they would have been absolutely useless and _never would have been made_ in the first place. I absolutely guarantee you there was no bushi in the middle of battle during the warring states period worrying about _getting fingerprints on his blade_ or how gently he put it back in its scabbard after _killing someone with it._ Sheesh!
On the katana bit, having lived in Japan for a few years, I always saw the "traditional" displays set up with the blade up and the handle to the left. I put "traditional" like that because even my own are deployed like that for the simple reason that the side you don't see has the bit that ties to your belt. Meaning it LOOKS better on display in that orientation and most "traditional" displays you can find today are in historic locations and MEANT to show off the sword.
@@Weatherman4Eva They might have cared back in the day, though. In the same way displaying a certain flag says something about your political leaning, displaying your sword one way or another (with one being the recognized "we are at war" stance) would, at certain times and in certain places, have said something about your political opinions.
@@TsumeShiro The handle is on the left side, signifying peace, because the katana is taught right-handed and is therefore much longer to draw on the left side. and blade side up is to preserve edge and polish.
Yeah and I don't know about mall ninjas saying it will blunt the edge, but having the sword blade down actually damages the inside of the saya slowly. Not an issue in the short term, but in the long term or for swords inherited through generations it would be an issue and become part of culture to try to avoid the damage happening in their heirlooms. That's how it was explained to me by me sensei at least, we also wore them under our obi with the blade always facing up never down for the same reason, drawing would wear the groove on the inside of the saya and cause it to need repair eventually.
21:54 - Not only did you successfully draw the sword on the right with your right hand, but this put you immediately into the far superior reverse grip, ready for extra cool and dynamic-looking action! (I mean I'm sure you could correct that easily enough...)
More surface creates more surface tension. More surface tension, increase stiffness. Also, sending a smooth blade into a body, creates a vacuum. As a tool & Die machist, air paths make a big difference to function. Close tolerances lead to vacuum pulling parts back in.
I've always lived in very rocky areas, so throwing a sword into the ground sounds like a good way to annihilate the tip of the blade, and a good chance to have it bounce out.
the whole blade in ground thing was taught to me not for your reasons of damage, but due to silica and rocks dulling the edge or damaging the tip. I still do this though because I know an ancient lost art-sharpening.
This video can be applied to many things and practices in day to day life. I'm glad you touched upon this topic cause more people seem to grasp upon things in hopes of giving themselves validity. As always a great video
I've heard people say you shouldn't thrust with curved swords. I understand that the curve may keep it from penetrating as far, or that your accuracy for the thrust could be off, but still. I believe that if you feel the need to do it in the moment, then go for it
So with a curved sword, it is wrong to end a fight, by stabbing your opponent, who is on the ground, by stabbing him? I should instead swing the sword down on the opponent and risk a block? Complete bullcrap...
Man I loved this video Shad. Reminds me a lot of the philosophy of miyamoto musashi as well. He just dual wielded and beat samurai masters all over japan with his own technique, and everyone just got super mad because "that isn't how it's done" but he did it and he won, and then wrote The Book of Five Rings. Legendary.
I literally just wrote a comment saying the same thing I'm about to reply with here. I have never heard of that book or its author, but tbf I haven't heard of basically any Japanese books or their authors. As I haven't really gotten into Japanese history yet. Do you know if there are any good English versions of the book I could read? Sounds interesting. And maybe any additional background on the author? I know I could just Google, but I like interacting with other people when I learn about things like this.
I love how he showed up super late to a duel just to get his opponent mad so they'd make more mistakes. I swear, Musashi was such a troll and I absolutely love it.
@@synthemagician4686 a serious Chad to be sure. Samurai: "Nooooo you can't mix multiple sword schools! You can't just do whatever you want!" Musashi: "haha. sword go burrrr"
@@bus3957 I don't have a specific version in mind, but I know it has been translated to english and published. Kind of like "art of war" by Sun Tzu. So if it isn't available at a bookstore, it's definitely online.
Woah... 11:58 that's an awesome trick.... This vid is one of the coolest, amusing, and informative vids I've seen from shad (aside from him acting like goofy brothers with his artsy brother)... Love your work, maestro.
It's always amuses me how a lot of vocalists are struggling to get a decent distortion, while Shad is doing it's perfectly just to express his emotions
I think they dont do it enough. Accuracy is like a dark art, the more accuracy and/or precision you want to get, the more you start to notice tiny patterns and synchronicities, the more you learn that these strange seemingly pedantic things matter. Everything matters, your rifle may just be so good you cant notice it. A less precise type of rifle can show the traits and patterns you need to key into more drastically than a really good type of rifle. If you want to get every last drop out of all future platforms you use and yourself as a shooter, it matters.
34:30 I have another point to why you would prefer to store your katana edge-up, and it ties into another bit of pedantry you pointed out. The whole bit about storing your katana with the handle to the right in wartime, so it's quicker to grab and wield? Well, I'd argue, whether you're a lefty or a righty, and whether you store the katana handle-right or handle-left, it will be quicker to draw and wield with the edge up. If you store a katana edge-down and try to draw the blade right off the stand, you are going to end up with the false edge out towards your opponent. With the edge up, that's not a problem.
You are simply performing the dinglehop technique incorrectly if you do not have an abominably rusty dinglehopper. My favourite aspect of the highly esteemed dinglehop technique is when my dinglehopper speaks the phrase "It's dinglehoppin' time." and proceeds to dinglehop a prodigious amount of rust upon all the weapons of my opponents.
I have two points and we'll see if anyone agrees, 1 storing the blade in the same orientation as how you draw it while wearing it would shave time off of getting it out should you need to grab it draw it and use it in the home. 2 there is a style where you use the scabbard/sheath as an off hand defensive tool.
When I was practicing as a violinist, my teacher was more concerned with my posture than my playing. The part about stances is related, as the point of combat is to win/do what works best for you, not to look good. I felt the same way about playing any instrument; it was about the music, not me looking good while I played. For me, a confident posture while playing music comes from playing something difficult with as little effort as possible. My focus is on my performance, and while pedagogues will be quick to say, "Your posture is part of your performance," it should never be the focus. To use a modern analogue, playing "Hot Cross Buns" like I'm Lindsey Sterling would be like putting a polka-dot bow on a dog turd. Many thanks to my first violin teacher, who was a pedantic, self-important waste of my family's money. She helped me appreciate the replacement teacher much more, who taught me fun and interesting ways to play even simple music. I guarantee you my posture was much better once I'd stepped away from Mrs. Hot Cross Buns.
I was gonna say something similar. I play the piano, and the position of the wrists were more important. The problem is i'm short, so my hands are small, and a certain non ortodoxal position was better for speed, relaxation and everything
@@papillon1094 Edit: had to correct a couple numbers. I was off by 1 on my reach. Agreed. As a pianist who's returned to lessons as an older adult (about a year now) and approaching late intermediate-to-early advanced repertoire (I'm learning Chopin's B Minor Waltz, Posthumous, and starting my first Bach Sinfonia as the lessons progress.), wrist position is very important for technique and health over the longer term, namely keeping the wrists up and relaxed so that the hands are over the tops of the keys to allow good space to promote independent finger movements, and overall speed, and accuracy. But I'd also say beyond posture and position, keeping everything loose and relaxed is more important than how high the wrist is raised. However: I have an injury from back when I was unpacking some boxes of those slim PCs for an end of lease department to do swaps. In unpacking several of those, I tore the muscle in the webbing between my right hand's thumb and forefinger. (It stung like a son of a bitch when I tried to tense or ball a fist with that hand.) So I rested the hand for a few weeks until the pain went away. What I didn't do, and probably should have done, was see a doctor about it. My brain at the time was like, "Eh, it doesn't hurt all the time, so I'll just let it rest, not use it, and let things knit back together and heal." The result of that is I now have a hitch in the 2nd joint that prevents me from fully opening my thumb when I open my hand fully. I lost about a full white key's worth of reach in my right hand from that. I can still reach an interval of an 9th, with some effort (octaves are fine) But I can no longer reach an interval of a 10th. And to reach that 9th, I have to bring my hand to the edge of the keys and really lower my wrist to make the reach. My left hand, which can open fully, has no real problem with an 9thth, and I can reach a 10th with only minor effort. Er, in simple visual terms, when holding my palm out, I can extend my left thumb to a 90 degree angle from the edge of my forefinger. My right hand, I can only extend my thumb to about a 45 degree angle. So I lose about a full white key's worth of reach. There are some pieces that I just won't ever have the reach to be able to play properly (like a couple of Chopin's preludes with particularly large chords). I probably won't ever have the reach to do Rachmaninoff justice, if I ever even get to that level some year. I guess my point is that, yeah, with wrist position and posture, there are certain best practices that make biomechanical sense, and promote speed and technique. However.... if any of those postures introduce unnecessary tension or discomfort, STOP DOING THEM! If you continue forcing yourself to use any positions or postures that introduce tension, stiffness, stress, well, technique is going to suffer from it in the long run, and in addition, over the longer term, there could be development of an injury like carpal tunnel or repetitive motion injury or other tension or stress relate pain or injury. The key to good musicianship is to be relaxed and fluid; the shoulders, the elbow, the arm, the wrist, the fingers, the fingertips, the torso, the ankles, the knees. All relaxed. And that said, I even catch Jordan Rudess sometimes dropping his wrists below the keyslip when he performs (what we call "broken wrist") particularly when he's playing very quick passages. Horowitz often dropped his wrists very low as well. I won't do that, because I can feel the tension in my wrist if I drop them that much, plus I get far more range of motion when raising my wrists. But hey if it works for them, and they're using that position for a particular reason or technique as a part of their "toolkit" I'm not gonna call 'em out on it, and they're world class pianists. I'm still a damn student, hah!
@@DustyNonya Rachmaninoff could reach an interval of a 13th. He had something like a 13-inch hand span, and could play a 5-finger chord of C Eb G C G. Totally understand the issue about the thumb over the neck though, heh. I dabbled a little with guitar. At least enough that I managed to write one of my songs with guitar only, though it's a simple one, haha. As a reward to myself for getting to that point, I bought myself a Reverend Double Agent OG 20th Anniversary edition. 😁
@@bytemixsound Pretty electric :). I generally play acoustics since the 1.67-1.69 nut width and thin necks trip me up. As you noted though I don't quite have Rachmaninoff/Buckethead hands...so a Baritone style guitar is a hair too big lol.
Great video Shad! I really think a lot of these attitudes and pedantic claims stem from the "old heads" that were enthusiasts before the explosion of information and interest in historical weapons and combat in the internet age. Prior to this explosion there were not nearly as many informed people to challenge such claims, and many of these misconceptions got absorbed and parroted by new enthusiasts who assumed the old ones knew what they were talking about, hence perpetuating the claims. Many people have an unhealthy need to portray themselves as an expert on whatever subject, and they REALLY hate having that image challenged.
These kind of attitude about tradition & the right way to do things are somewhat important, *if* you're a noble since it's a way they communicate & showing of to other nobles. We however are not nobles, so do whatever you want
@@aokhoinguyenang3992 This is a great point. Among the noble class I imagine things like this could possibly fall into the category of etiquette. In the modern age, we seem to often fall into the trap of incorrectly attributing recorded noble culture to commoners because so little of commoner culture was recorded by comparison.
@@aokhoinguyenang3992 More important is that a lot of these traditions serve as a way to indicate that you are disciplined and have been taught and subsequently absorbed the teaching. Never underestimate the power of disciple. A good example of this is the brown m&m test. If a minor detail was overlooked because the person thought it was useless (or whatever reason) you can be confident the overlooked something else, and that something else might be important. Some traditions were used because breaking them was an indication of something that most people would overlook.
@@SirSpence99 Understanding is the most important thing. If we understand why & how these tradition exist, we can choose to do the same/replace it with a similar but better method. Discipline is very important, this is about weapon handling
i think katanas are stored upside down so you can draw it with the blade in the right position automatically without too much wrist twisting. although, by that logic, you should get a katana rack with the swords laying flat with the arch facing the wall. if you're not planning on defending against an intruder with your katana, store it however the hell you want.
Oh, I have to react to a lot here. 1) blocking with the flat. You can, but please, please, PLEASE, wear a helmet and proper eye protection. I saw three swords break so far, in all cases it was when somebody blocked by flat. 2) Sticking blade in ground. Well, that is hard one. I would advise not to throw your sword, you may hit a rock or root and then your sword may "jump" somewhere and hit someone. Also, it may damage the tip, I know, I know, not that important for us, but for real fight it is important. I would advise against stabbing ground with your knife, you will always hit a rock and blunt it. 3) Moisture on steel. The best thing for removing little rust is spit and fine sandpaper (200 or more). When you are done, wipe it clean and then use some lard and a lot of polishing. That is one of the best things ever, my sword was rustless for ~5 years, then I had to polish it again. Lard (and a lot of polishing) is way better than WD-40. 4) If your sword got damaged by putting back in the thing supposed to keep it safe and clean... maybe your sword should be made from something else than horse manure. 5) Drawing sword will make it blunt. Nice one. I have to admit, I had this problem with one knife, I made the shaft poorly (I was ~15 and I wanted to attach a piece of wire that would sharpen it, but I lacked the skill to make it). If drawing or keeping sword in shaft makes it blunt, you have a shitty shaft. Oh, and you can draw from the same side (so right hand draws sword on right hip), you just need short enough sword. 6) Left for peace, right for war... I don't know, it looks fine. If there were lefthand samurais. Again, I don't know. In Europe it would be something uncommon for sure, there is even a special word for left hand fighter. Sinister. Fighting lefty in a duel is weird and much harder than you would expect, but in battle formation lefties are clumsy. 7) Names are awful. Here we use three categories for sword, 1 hand sword, 1,5 hand sword and 2 hand sword. And then you add "broad", "light", "heavy"... And about "katana" meaning "sword". Sometimes we say that "katana is Japanese sword". Do Japanese say "broadsword is Scottish katana"? 8) Shooting from outside of the bow is 100% viable method. For higher poundage I think it is easier method and it is faster method. You may argue that "inside" arrow is more accurate. I don't think so, maybe it is easier to learn, but I don't think it is better. And look at Lars, he is damn accurate and fast. 9) How to hold a shield. Well, it highly depends on what is coming at you. There is a huge difference in blocking sword, axe, spear, halberd or stone from sling. I like the close hold for "not engaged" moments and holding further from body for blocking swings, but I can also pretend to be tired by keeping the shield down and then using it to attack. And I have pretty heavy shield, so it is hard to stop. There is no "one technique", there are many techniques for many circumstances. For example, dropping your sword is probably a bad idea, right? But if it means that your sword will lie on ground behind you and you will disarm your opponent? In that situation you control all weapons and your opponent has nothing.
I was watching a video on @LetsaskShogo that talked about many of these topics. According to him Samurai were trained to use the sword right-handed despite being left-handed and Japan even had laws in place requiring people to walk on the left side of the road that the scabbards wouldn't knock together and possibly cause a fight.
Like in the modern USA, it was likely a region by region thing. Some states allow open carry, and others don't. And even in open carry states, you have areas where you can't carry. Like courthouses, airports, ect.
My old taekwondo instructor always told me keep your knees bent I was a 425lbs guy, keeping my knees bent was exhausting. After explaining to him I’m not locking my knees I’m just keeping relaxed, he looked me over and said he understood what I was talking about. But other students would yell at me for practicing my way.
Parents often tell their kids not to play with sharp objects like scissors or knives. Shad and his gang basically said "to hell with that mom, I'm a grown up, I can do whatever I want". Like purchasing several oversized letter openers and making TH-cam vids about them. And I like it. Hope to see more.
To quote the greatest blacksmith in skyrim, Eorlund Gray-Mane: "The blade is a weapon. A tool. Tools are meant to be broken. And repaired." Yes, they're beautiful, but unless it's a wall hanger, they're meant to be used and abused. People forget that melee weapons are weapons of war, they were for cutting and piercing and chopping things. People, mostly. Same thing with a gun. It needs to be respected, but respected doesn't mean given a degree of reverence like it's some holy symbol. No, it means make sure you don't point the thing at anyone in case it goes off, or in the case of swords, in case you trip and it stabs them. Respect the fact that its purpose is to kill, and is designed to be really good at that job. Bang your sword against a tree, cut stuff, chop watermelons in half like I do sometimes. Because that's the kind of stuff it's meant to do.
Just pledged for the leather bound bundle, as a present for my sisters birthday thats coming up. She is a writer and loves books they will make an awesome addition to her collection and I'm sure she will love your story. Can't wait!
We used to get press-ups if we stuck our sword into the ground - it can carry tetanus, and since this was pre HEMA armor days, getting scratches was a regular occurrence 🙂
Some types of Japanese swords, such as Tachi, were typically worn edge down, and when moving (particularly on horseback) there would be more movement of the blade within the saya. Clearly, samurai were not concerned about blunting those blades in such situations so I doubt that storing a blade edge down on a rack when it is stationary would have been much of a concern. Your blocking demonstration using the long swords was great, but it would have been good to see you demonstrate what happens when you block with the side or back of a sword blade that does not have a cross guard but does have side projection (i.e., nagel, disc guard, etc.), as well as blocking and parrying thrusts.
Tradition was sometimes just someones personal preference that caught on. Same way as fashion often followed what the King wore among the nobility. Then years later people tried to make up reasons for why it had to be the correct way to do something.
That's why they put the crossguard in line with the blade and not the flat. because you wouldnt want someone to damage your crossguard by hitting it with their sword.
This reminds me of my early childhood. When I was in elementary school I liked to wear my wristwatch on my right wrist. And all the time, kids would tell me that I'm doing it wrong. That you're supposed to wear the wristwatch on your left wrist.
That's a tradition from factory workers trying to ensure that if their wristwatch / wedding ring gets caught in equipment or machinery, they only risk losing their non-dominant hand in an accident.
I used to fence, and the tradition was that both opponents would stand on guard. (Point 1.) This worked great for a long time until somebody worked out that by standing on guard it made the moves that you could make from that position more predictable. Then it became very popular not to offer a guard. (Point 2.) When I was a beginner I found it useful to adopt a guard in the septime position against left handed fencers because in many cases it would throw off traditionally taught fencers (my blade was pointing at their gonads, a position they were not used to, and that made them feel defensive). What I am saying is styles change overtime, but also depending on who you are fencing. The idea is to win, so unless there is a really good reason not to do something, people will generally try it if they believe it gives them an edge. Sometimes it might only work once.
As far as how to block an incoming sword with the edge or the flat, I think the main concern is to not die. You can deal with a notch in your sword but if you're dead...
In Kenjutsu there are one handed techniques. Generally the Katana is used two handed, but there are several moves where you use it one handed before returning to a two handed kamae.
There are even styles primarily using it one handed. From Musashi's "Book of five rings": "If you hold a sword with both hands, it is difficult to wield it freely to left and right, so my method is to carry the sword in one hand. This does not apply to large weapons such as the spear or halberd, but swords and companion swords can be carried in one hand. It is encumbering to hold a sword in both hands when you are on horseback, when running on uneven roads, on swampy ground, muddy rice fields, stony ground, or in a crowd of people. To hold the long sword in both hands is not the true Way, for if you carry a bow or spear or other arms in your left hand you have only one hand free for the long sword. However, when it is difficult to cut an enemy down with one hand, you must use both hands. It is not difficult to wield a sword in one hand; the Way to learn this is to train with two long swords, one in each hand. It will seem difficult at first, but everything is difficult at first. Bows are difficult to draw, halberds are difficult to wield; as you become accustomed to the bow so your pull will become stronger. When you become used to wielding the long sword, you will gain the power of the Way and wield the sword well. "
@@SirContoI have never heard of this book or its author. But tbf, I haven't heard of basically any Japanese book or their authors. Do you know any background on the author? And also a way I could read an English version? It seems like an interesting read from that excerpt. I know I could just Google it but I like interacting with people when I ask questions on stuff like this.
I heard that putting mayonnaise in the sheath of a weapon makes a nice snack for when you go out to battle and didn't have a packed lunch. Love your content Shad!
I'm so sorry I couldn't get your book in my my library but I will try again cuz I love your and you are really funny and so entertained a lot I really love what you do
On the archery topic, check out "Lars Andersen: A new level of archery". In order to shoot fast, he puts his arrows on the outside rather than the inside, and he is super accurate. It literally debunks all the criticism Shad is getting. It would be interesting to see Shad's reaction to this.
Yeah, but Lars shoots thumb-style afaik, in which you typically shoot on the outside, while the finger-draw that shad uses is more traditionally associated with the inside. So that explains why shad shooting on the outside is (stupidly) controversial in some circles, while lars not
Lars also shoots very low poundage bows so it doesn't really matter what he does. All he does is spread shit on anyone else who is shooting modern archery, even though they're not really trying to be historical at all
@@TheCrimsonAtom WTF Lars is constantly using historical replicas with the same draw as the original (central-asian, native American bows). His technique doesn't matter just because he isn't shooting long bows? Without presuming your nationality, I can say that the stupidest ppl in the archery community are the english long bow supermacists. Also love this "lars shits on modern archers" bullsht. Good luck proving that without speaking Danishh)
just a single example For forging, i use a technique that applies water to steel to force it to be less elastic and malleable as a way to isolate heat for if i want to twist it in a certain place. I learned his technique from an engineer/machinist who may also have been a metallurgist and said its fine to use on knife/high carbon steels. But I had a guy say no i would never do that with high carbon steel because it could crack it...this will only happen if you are forging air-hardening steel, (i have forged air-hardening steels there are things you have to do to work them hot that you differ from low alloy steels). there's this idea that you get a piece of steel wet from heat its quenched hard glass. the reality (again, outside of air-hardening steels) when in fact you have to have to have it cool at a rate of hundreds of degrees a second to cool it(I don't have figures memorized). Wetting it you only bring it down to a dull red color. This is an effective technique if you can't get heat isolation from say, a oxy fule torch(which did not exist until relatively modern times) or charcoal/coal, and even with the later you still do need to use this at times depending on what you do.
Absolutely excellent video! I learned a lot from this one. Also I agree that the sword wall is definitely a better piece of art than modern art. By the way did anyone else notice the high amount of sword handling skill Shad displayed without any notion of it being difficult or a big deal? I’m pretty sure I would have accidentally cut myself just trying to catch that katana 😅.
I went to a Renaissance festival in Connecticut where they had an arms and armor display and the guy doing the display was "educating" his audience on the appropriate terms and usage of the things he was showing. And while showing off a shamshir he asked what it was called, many audience members said scimitar, he then said the term scimitar is racist and told everyone what the correct term was. I had to walk away.
@@Muster_Muckee_II so after looking it up, the only reference i was able to find was how Tolkien and C.S. Lewis wrote things and that they called the wrote certain groups as bad guys and they used scimitars and that they say the word scimitar, thus the word scimitar was a racial stereotype and thus racist........................ thats all i could find XD
36:34 The correct way to handle the katana is indeed holding it one handed, with the wakizashi in the off hand hand. You're also supposed to be doing this while standing at least a head taller than almost everyone else in your nation while being named Miyamoto Musashi. I read this in some old olympic fencing manual called the five rings book or some such.
Rafael Mahir Aghayev, five-time world champion, and eleven-time European champion in karate, is left handed and he used left stance to make his opponents uncomfortable, and proceed to wipe the tatami with them.
If your sword is so fragile that treating it casually is a serious short term risk to its structural condition, you need a better sword. The big thing to remember about history is that people were still people a thousand years ago. Anything people of today are likely to do with a sword, right or wrong smart or stupid, they were just as likely to do back then. Covering your blade in pointless, expensive decoration or shaping it in a less functional shape? Yeah, if they thought it looked cool they very well might. Treating a sword like a sharp stick? Yup. Using improper terminology? Undoubtedly. People are people, they do people things regardless of a theoretical "best" way of doing things.
Absolutely great follow-up video by Mathew Jensen
th-cam.com/video/67CvuTK885E/w-d-xo.html
Can you please do a video on the correct use of ... the "dinglehopper"?
You are just... to wholesome my guy.
A suggestion for future videos like this. When you have segments of sparring having a tally for who’s winning the interactions would make those segments more interesting and satisfying to get to the end of.
Also loving these recent videos, your personality bounces off the other hosts really well and the skits that you are in are just a delight to watch. Can’t wait for more!
You have a good one universal importance they are all steaks yes it is that's who they are steaks
18:59 so to add more to this a TH-camr called let's ask shojo who is very knowledgeable in ancient Japanese history and Japanese swordsmanship has a five-minute video about this that goes in more depth about this topic even saying that till 2018 they forced children to use their right hand it's a huge cultural thing and he even mentions three famous left-handed samurai that might've been left-handed and a short which he explains that the right hand is used for control and the left hand is for power giving left-handed samurai more power over right-handed samurai if they get used to it
Also would like to say he was trained and showed ways were using a katana one handed is more beneficial its on his second channel let's ask seki sensei were he's asking a 22nd head master
SHAD! You should never yell and swear around a sword. The moisture in your breath and acid in your tone will blunt your edge
It may also effect its confidence, weakening its spine.
In all the books and art, you never actually hear somebody yelling at their sword, because they knew.
They knew!!
sound waves from your voice could resonate at a harmful frequency with the steel and cause it to shatter!
@@RogaineForEwoks I would like to introduce you to Warbreaker, and the sword Night Blood 😂
But if you swear even more it will make the sword even edgier
_transports medieval dude to modern times_
"So settle this debate, is this a broad sword or a claymore or a long sword or what!?"
"That? That's a stabby long boy"
S W O R D is S W O R D!
Excuse me sir, that's very clearly a spear.
@@jackhall290 Akkshually, a spear is a long stabby boy not a stabby long boy!
Then what is an swordstaff? Long short stabby long boy?
@@krillkilo Long Sharp Stabby Long Boy!
I'll admit that years ago, I was very much one of the "you must block with the flat of the blade and never the edge" sort. Thankfully I'm willing to learn and grow.
I'm old and I learnt swordsmanship before the internet was a thing. Always baffled me where this idea came from for European swords. I've always thought of it as suba based fuddlore being misapplied by those who don't sword. Where did you get it from?
@@baconghoti I've also heard similar notions from Asian single-edged sword users. I think the historical context was that when swords were made with material much inferior to modern steel, learning to proficiently parry with the flat helped to preserve the sword during frequent, rigorous usage. Apparently a lot of people overlearned the lesson.
What i have seen in this argument its mostly people doing asian sword fighting like chinese stuff like that. Just looking at european cross guard its pretty obvious blocking with the edge is really the thing if you rely on the guard to keep you safe. Even with single edged asian style swords with small guards i doubt person actually fighting would care much about edge damage cos you are literally blocking to safe your life who cares about the sword at that point
Pedagogically you do not block because it develops bad habits in both you and your training partners. This is even the case in FIE fencing: defence is always either proactive e.g. parry-riposte and beat-attack or passive e.g. distance control and center line control, no one should train reactive defense e.g. successful parry - forgotten riposte. Kata in traditional kenjutsu are purely pedagogical, thus few blocks.
@@phillipjiang1593 most of my 'historical' swordfighting has been done with a flat guard and using the flat of the blade is just begging for broken fingers. It doesn't really matter if the edge of the strong of the blade would be impaired, it's not the bit that normally hit's the opponent. As the poster between us said a block/parry isn't a singular activity and alignment immediately after the disengage is super important.
It's almost as if something designed and made to chop things up really hard should be able to withstand being gently settled on the 'wrong' orientation.
legends say that the sword is a sword
I think sometimes people forget that tools (including weapons) are meant to be used. Yes, take care of your tools. Yes, don't downright abuse your tools. But also...they're tools. Use them. If they're meant as decorations or archival pieces, then whatever. But if you're taking them out and using them, don't get so hung up on them being...used.
I'm not as much of a sword guy, but I've seen this a lot with firearms, and a friend of mine has seen this with cars. Some people pretty up their shiny new guns and try to baby them like they're afraid of seeing any wear and tear on them. News flash, firearms use contained explosions. There will be wear and tear no matter what, as long as you're using them. With cars, some people get these really expensive and really powerful cars...and are afraid of ever taking them out. They leave them in their garages, under a tarp, never even seeing the light of day. It can't even really collect dust.
People do this with shoes too. I get it. A new pair of shoes looks nice. Fine. But shoes are tools too. If you use them, they will get dirty. You can take care of them and avoid abusing them, but some people have this obsession with never getting their shoes dirty at all.
With cars you need to use them. During my brief period in dealership maintenance we had a guy come in with a beautiful Corvette with a seized engine. Why was it seized? It had less than 50 miles on it after 3 years. The guy never drove it. Tools MUST be used to keep them usable. Otherwise they just fall apart.
@Benjanuva that's a good point too. Tools are meant to be used.
@@Benjanuvayeah. My dad had his 70s Ford Mustangs, which he would rather watch rot than let anyone but himself use them... And by that point he was at a point where, due to health reasons, he *couldn't* drive anymore. He drove each of them all of once, and those being the day he got them and put them in the driveway as a glorified ornament.
And then you have people like me who somehow overwork and overuse their tools. I regularly wear significant holes in my shoes within a year of getting them. My last pair of shoes, I had decided to go with some heavy duty boots hoping that would last me longer. The shoes, in fact, did not last me longer.
And the bizarre thing is I do not run very often, I do not visit rough terrain with any frequency. I spend a good amount of time in doors. I am not stressing my shoes terribly much and yet they wear out like I am running a marathon on the weekly.
@@redstonewarrior0152 That depends on what kind of shoes you're using and how well you're taking care of them, and also I suppose what you're using them for. Some shoes are advertised as heavy duty, but really aren't. Some shoes will only last a long time if you take good care of them. And sometimes, you might just have bad luck with shoes. I know I wore out my tactical boots faster than I was happy with, so I decided to try higher quality leather work boots. They cost a whole lot more, but I'm also hoping that they'll last me a whole lot longer, as long as I regularly take care of them.
I know people who's well-conditioned leather boots have lasted them decades. I've heard of some that last entire generations and get passed down. Good leather that is well cared for can last absurdly long times. Granted, these boots have needed resoling and repairs, but that's part of the care for them.
A fair number of these points could be resolved by simply asking the questions "Is this sword a tool that I use to do a job and may need to use to save my life or is it an expensive toy/art piece that will be difficult to replace if I damage it?" While I treat my tools well, and some of them are expensive, I do treat them very differently from my toys.
I love your way of approaching it. On the battlefield, the sword is a tool to defend yourself from being killed. And as far as damage goes, it's a lot easier to fix nicks in a sword blade than nicks in your body.
Your analogy is great. When I bought my house, all the tools I collected over the years went from being perfectly clean and in like new condition, to dirty, sometimes slightly damaged and heavily used. My tools went from expensive toys that I used rarely, to tools that I needed to use to get a job done.
Work car vs weekend car. Casual clothes vs dress clothes. Dishes vs grandma's fine china. We do this quite often with lots of items and rarely give it a second thought.
Exactly what I was thinking.
It is before anything else a tool.
The fact Shad keeps saying "pendantry" really brings the "pedantry" out of me. XD
Never thought I'd see another FFXI player in a random youtube comment xD
Oh man I felt this pain as well :D
Still trying to figure out what jewelry has to do with the topic, myself
I feel like that's more semantic than pedantic, no?
We need a GIF of Shad with the "IS IT TRIGGERING YOU?!" STAT!
Also, thank you to Ty for picking up the axe... it was staring at me the entire video.
I agree
Shad: Plants sword in ground.
Sword: I didn't know I came here to be disrespected.
This is the most pedantic response to toxic pedantry ever.
😂😂😂 and I enjoyed every minute of it ❣️👍
Yes, you are correct that it's pedantry not pendantry... Not sure what jewelry has to do with the subject
@@AaronCoakley Nobody said "pendantry" except you.
@@I_Crit_My_Pants actually , bozo , shad said pendantry like 50 times in this video.
@@AaronCoakley yes shad really brought out the pendant in me every time he said that 😂
I kept questioning if shad intentionally kept saying "pendantry" to trigger my pedantry about pronunciation but in fairness it's genuinely more difficult to be certain what you mean. on the other hand maybe I'm just unnecessarily pedantic😄
You stole my comment you disgusting pendant! :)
I feel you. His Pummel/Pommel pronunciation gets me every time. Just cringee....... nah, don't care.
I the worst was his pronunciation of "Ninjato" in a previous video. Made my ears bleed
@@mikecardwell5793 I don't tend to worry about the made-up words
@@dogmaticpyrrhonist543 ...as opposed to the words handed out by the god of wordery, Wordsmith the wordcrafter?
14:08
This reminds me of the story Dalinar tells in the Stormlight Archives about how to properly tie a Takama. You MUST wrap the belt 3 times. All others are wrong was what his sword master taught him. Everyone else wore 2 wraps, but his master insisted on 3.
Well, after his masters passing, he tracked down his masters master, and his master before him, all the way back to the origin. He found a slight man, very small for a swordsman, and when he asked why 3 wraps instead of 2, the ancient master replied
"Because I am so short, if I only wrap my belt twice I will trip over it."
Reminds me of the story of the guards defending a bench on a military base, basically they’d stand and defend the bench all day and not sit on it, well the active commander traces back the previous commanders to the first one who put the rule, and when asked the first one responded “is the paint still not dry?!”
That was exactly the same thing I was thinking! It’s an excellent metaphor.
I’m reminded of a buddy of mine who insists on a very prescribed way of tactically handling firearms. He’s an obsessive about using a aggressively far forward C clamp grip, using magnified optics (never irons if you can avoid it on ANYTHING), use squared stances, get the longest possible length of pull, get leg holsters for handguns, and never ever use the slide release or bolt catch.
My friend was quite the dogmatist about this stuff, and somewhat intrigued, but much more consterned, I asked about taking a lesson with his guru. And it all made instant sense the moment I saw the man.
His guru is a very tall and lanky man, nearly 7 FEET tall, with limbs, fingers, and neck to match. Naturally his, insistence on exaggeratedly, aggressive, outsized grips and stances, as well as oversized equipment, came from a practical necessity that anything else was simply too small for him to operate effectively. He would end up cramped on his equipment, and his fingers would be too big to hit the proper spots.
And he was much less dogmatic in person, having his preferred way to do things, but understanding that most people were significantly smaller than him and some like me are vastly smaller (5’4”) than him (6’7”) and need to use very different techniques. About the only things I couldn’t get him to budge on ultimately were squared stances, aggressive grips, and magnified optics.
@@Mortablunt one thing to remember is that equipment dictates technique.
Square on stance makes sense if you wear modern rifle armor. Similarly 50s revolver stances made sense with the clothing and style of the time.
You need to always judge with a understanding of what influenced the style.
Gerald Darrell wrote about a giraffe in a zoo that always had his water warm. Nobody remembered why; it had no obvious benefit. Eventually they bothered to find out: the giraffe had been sick when he got into the zoo, and keeping the water warm was the first instruction the keepers received
My new favorite late-night Channel, historical yet informative
For me it's midday channel
It's like childhood Morning cartoons for me
Lunch time channel for me
I actually think the whole "you shouldn't rest a Katana with the edge pointing down" was started by some mall ninja who looked up how they are displayed in Museums in Japan, where every Katana is in fact resting with the edge upwards... and every Tachi has the edge downwards, because the reason is so that the 'mei' the writing on the tang is readable.
Most of the stuff begins with practical reasons.
The Tachi began essentially as a cavalry saber. It was positioned to hang down at the side of the rider, so stay in easy reach without getting hung up on the horse or the riding tackle. To dry it, the warrior could make a great pool upwards across their body, which would clear the blade and their hand away from their horse’s head, and bring it naturally into a fighting position. Another reason to carry it down is because we spend so much time hanging relatively loosely having the scabbard rest on the blunt back, kept the wood off the sharp edge to protect it.
The katana is essentially an infantry sword. This means it has to be carried on foot at all times mostly, and it was also used at a time in warfare became more about tight formations, as well as combat within fortified strongholds. So, having a shorter blade that was straighter allowed for more compact swordplay within the tight confines of the new style of fighting. And without the head of the horse in the way, the caring position change to allow for a faster straight draw, which brought the weapon into engagement, faster, enabling virtually a straight line initial attack or defense. And because the katana was carried fairly tightly in a belt, the sword was carried edge up, rest up one side on the scabbard to keep the sharp edge protected.
Overtime does very basic concerns about how to transport the sword effectively how to get it into the fight faster, and how to protect the sharp edge, morphed into aesthetic concerns, and eventually into ceremonial traditions. It’s no different than how military today still practice. Their recruits on close order drill originally designed for muskets, even though we use metallic cartridges from box magazines.
Also cultural reason that the position the sword is displayed in the past indicated whether someone's clan is currently engaged in a long term conflict with another clan.
If you use excessive oil with your katana blades, and you hang them with the blade up Oil will drip out of the Sheath, vs. hanging it with the Blade down will contain the Oil on the cutting edge coating the blade and keeping air away from the edge.
@@Mortablunt when in war the katana whas also worn ege down.
That's interesting. I first heard katana's should be stored edge up 30 years ago from a Japanese Iaido Master, In Japan, where I was studying Iaido. Not exactly some "Mall Ninja".
Shad imitating people getting triggered will never get old, you sir, are a certified hood classic.
To paraphrase Pratchett " The English language hangs around in dark alleys and sneaks up on other languages. Then mugs them for pieces it likes."
That's an awesome fact about this language, and why it's so hard to learn in the first place
That makes me like it even better
All languages do it, in fact. But maybe English is the one who does it with an extra dash of stealth.
@@karinefonte516- tbf, no other language is as bastardised as English, both in formation and use
@@danielcrafter9349 well to start with, English isn’t one language, it’s three languages on each other’s shoulders in a trench coat.
"You should never hit anything with a sword, you'll blunt it!"
To be fair, it's best if you don't have to hit anything with the sword.
@@thearcanehunter2736
Yeah, but we all know someone that would be like, "Take my life, just don't hurt my sword.."
And now we have circled around to cruciform iron clubs, but from excessive estimation.
😂😂😂
@GunGirl1997 Yeah, in a best case scenario a sword wouldn't have to exist. Weaponry is an essential for defense, certainly necessary to keep around - but if you don't have to hit things, then that is preferable, since if you have to hit things than things are going badly.
As a Dark Souls Knight in real life, i can confirm that spitting on your weapon increases your crit chance by 0.1% after 1,000 attacks.
You also make enemies bleed more if you stab yourself and cover the blade with blood
crits are not random in dark souls
Whenever you fight another player, there's a "CHANCE" they're using either the hornet or dragonscale rings (or analogues).
XP
@@saw8108 have you tried spitting on your blade in dark souls?
Dark Souls addicts: "That sounds like a great deal. What a steal!"
As a bladesmith I am amused by this kind of content. I like it.
The proper way to block a sword is whatever way causes you not to lose appendages.
That intro had me rolling with Nate's bright red face.
40:40 i liked Lindibiege's way of saying it, "once you know all the rules, youre in a better position to throw them out the window"
Lindibeige is epic.
This can be applied to any kind of craft, skill, art, etc. In art, for example: New art movements get created by those who've mastered "the traditional rules" of their craft. Once the learned rules become limitations to the craft they are altered or gotten rid of so that new art forms can be established.
Rules create boundaries but creativity has no bounds.
Let me just disregard this statement on the basis of: Lindibeige said it
@@DeHerg Why? What has he done?
"First get your facts straight, then distort them at your leisure" - Mark Twain
Its good to see you Shad. Bringing the hard truths with you.
This year's April fools video was godly! So many people are going to start sticking their swords in the ground 🤣
@@Orphioux it’s not even April 1st. Is that the joke?
There's one truth authors like George R. R. Martin will refuse to admit.
Their "realism" and "historical accuracy" are mere excuses to their biased positions
@@asphaltshingles8594 Oh, it is in Australia.
@@Orphioux since when does march have 29 days?
Tod's workshop has a good video about how modern Medieval enthusiasts expect perfection in their sword production, when the reality was, most swords that were made were unsellable in today's market. People back in the day preferred functionality, and being able to produce said weapons quickly and cost effectively.
Quality steel being ubiquitous and relatively affordable is an insanely modern circumstance. Like maybe the last century at the absolute most
@@the_real_ch3 Exactly, but also how you craft those swords has changed, so even replicas of Bronze swords are TOO perfect.
Next time you're in a museum, or looking at a historical sword, look at it closely, and you'll notice, that they're not symmetrical, and there's a load of imperfections.
Since I've seen it, I can't unseen it, and modern swords look so perfect, that they're kind of soulless.
" omg the swords were outside in the air and not sealed in a hermetically sealed case. The moisture is going to destroy them" .... I've actually heard this before sadly and the worse thing was it was a damn mall ninja sword
I am just gonna drop the Whiskey Tribe Motto in here:
"The "best" whisk(e)y is the whiskey you like to drink, the way you like to drink it."
This applies here as well
Good chanel, though I can't stand whiskey. Or alcohol for that matter... But they're funny as hell.
I have practiced blade arts (spear, sword, knife, etc.) for over a decade. Sure, if you are practicing a specific strike, perry, ward, or whatever, yes it can be appropriate to practice a certain way... But when it comes to actually using blades, you do whatever it takes to win. Even if that means opening up with pocket sand.
Pocket Sand is super effective (I saw that video)
So long as you end them rightly.
Pocket glass is even better... borderline finishing move!
Hurl your pommel to end him rightly!
10:50 - if placing your sword into the *thing designed for the sword to be placed in* slightly roughly damages it, I'd hate for to have that be my weapon in combat
Nooo you have to be delicate with your WEAPON
Make sure to only fight unarmored opponents as hitting someone with a shield or armor can damage your blade
Yeah I don't get where people (or at least someone) got that stupid idea. It is a weapon made from STEEL! It is not some delicate flower that breaks if you just look at it wrong. Saya could perhaps be damaged BUT if that was the case then I am 100% sure it means it had hidden structural damage already and it would have broken anyway at some point.
@@Krondon-SSR And talk to it - like plants. BUT - It will be shap longer if you throw insults at it, not love 😅
@@MaaZeus The idea that widely used melee weapons, designed to be used with force, would get damaged that easily baffles me. Silly traditions probably existed, but self-sabotaging traditions rarely stand the test of time, particularly when fighting for your life is concerned.
Observing that arrow placement meltdown in the archer community was hilarious.
And stupid. Did the arrows hit the target? Use your teeth to draw if you want. It looks dumb but hit it however you want.
inshallah i hate redditors
The only reason I never got into archery is because of the flak I'd get for everything I was doing. Thank God for crossbows!
Using a bow like shad does is awkward as fuck if youve ever tried it. It has to do with your right hand fingers having to slip to the right on release, with no limb to provide resistance against the arrow. Sure shad might be able to force a shot like that and have it come out acceptable, especially with deep knocks, but theres no good reason to place the arrow on the right in western style archery.
@@habibishapur it's called preference my guy, sure other ways might be better but if that is what someone is more comfortable with than there's no grounds for anyone else to say otherwise, maybe it has to do with some physical trait or something but either way, you can't be sure your way if doing it is better for them than their way of doing it
the "blood groove" thing is my biggest gripe against the uneducated lol 😆
great video.
ps. im a musician who wholeheartedly believes that there's no correct way to hold an instrument either. if you like to put your thumb around the neck of a guitar, great it might give you better grip. if you like to prop it behind the neck because it gives you better reach, equally great. the endgame is the result, not how it was done!
I had a karate instructor as a kid who was one of those old school weebs who were obsessed with samurai while knowing very little of them that isnt bullshit, and he would claim that the slanted tip of a katana was to prevent it from getting stuck in someone. I have no idea how he thought the physics worked there
somebody thought up 'blood groove' cuz it sounds cool. i like the real name 'fuller', better, simply because ot creates no false expectation for the purpose of those grooves...
My father was a boiler maker and knife maker for 40 plus years he actually used spit on whatever material, ceramic ect he was using when sharpening knives. Steel filing would sort of collect rather then disperse because of the consistency and at the right angle act like a micro filament resulting in a truly evil edge.
Cool
Dude: "Sword, you have my utter respect!"
Sword:
You just haven't loved your sword enough for it to love you back
@Joshua Ostwald or somebody elses, its not actually that picky.
sword: im literally a sharp metal stick
@@AcornFox well observed, friend traveler
@@datpudding5338 i didnt observe anything. just quoting a sword, good sir.
The whole bit about being able to do whatever you want to your own property is something the whole internet needs to be reminded of, because it applies to a lot more than just swords.
Treating your property like crap is one thing. Showing people terrible and dangerous ways to use their property is a whole different thing. People have been maimed and killed by following stupid advice on youtube and other social media videos. Treating your property on crap doesn't harm anyone else, but if you do it on the internet, you get what you deserve.
@@MAGAMAN Safety is a different matter entirely.
Indeed.
In case you didn't notice, i believe people in real life too should heed that advice
@@dimasakbar7668 Sure, but I think fewer people follow it online than in real life. Gotta triage our problems.
19:00 Oh Shad, you underestimate how subservient and collective the Japanese are (for the most part historically). Any of those "outliers" you are appealing to that "may have existed" were either thrown out of the village, or went fishing never to return. Remember now, these people were the kind to ride their fighter planes into their enemies for the sake of their emperor. The "exceptions" who did not "follow the rules", in modern times became Americans or Brazilians, or stayed in Japan and died via bullying. Jesting aside- it really was their practice to "correct" left-handedness- and an easy routine house inspection would have caught any "outliers" trying to do anything "different" from the norm. The nail that sticks out gets hammered.
The inner pedant in me feels compelled to mention that even many types of relatively soft ground are actually made up of lots of fine abrasive particles, so depending on the particular soil composition, it can potentially be almost like plunging your sword into sandpaper. But I agree that even doing that every once in a while is probably not that big a deal, particularly if it's a "working sword" to begin with (and if it's not, what are you doing whipping it around outside in the first place?) Worst case, you might get some scratches or dulling on the tip (which can be fixed, or, y'know, ignored really).
People seem to forget that these swords were all originally _tools_ which were used in _combat,_ one of the absolutely least "delicate" places you can possibly be. If they couldn't withstand simple things like this, or even far worse, they would have been absolutely useless and _never would have been made_ in the first place. I absolutely guarantee you there was no bushi in the middle of battle during the warring states period worrying about _getting fingerprints on his blade_ or how gently he put it back in its scabbard after _killing someone with it._ Sheesh!
On the katana bit, having lived in Japan for a few years, I always saw the "traditional" displays set up with the blade up and the handle to the left. I put "traditional" like that because even my own are deployed like that for the simple reason that the side you don't see has the bit that ties to your belt. Meaning it LOOKS better on display in that orientation and most "traditional" displays you can find today are in historic locations and MEANT to show off the sword.
Cool but like the whole point of the video is that nobody cares, and you can do whatever you want with your sword
@@Weatherman4Eva They might have cared back in the day, though. In the same way displaying a certain flag says something about your political leaning, displaying your sword one way or another (with one being the recognized "we are at war" stance) would, at certain times and in certain places, have said something about your political opinions.
@Wæthrman 🌦️ that was literally my point, it LOOKS good that way.
@@TsumeShiro The handle is on the left side, signifying peace, because the katana is taught right-handed and is therefore much longer to draw on the left side.
and blade side up is to preserve edge and polish.
Yeah and I don't know about mall ninjas saying it will blunt the edge, but having the sword blade down actually damages the inside of the saya slowly. Not an issue in the short term, but in the long term or for swords inherited through generations it would be an issue and become part of culture to try to avoid the damage happening in their heirlooms. That's how it was explained to me by me sensei at least, we also wore them under our obi with the blade always facing up never down for the same reason, drawing would wear the groove on the inside of the saya and cause it to need repair eventually.
21:54 - Not only did you successfully draw the sword on the right with your right hand, but this put you immediately into the far superior reverse grip, ready for extra cool and dynamic-looking action!
(I mean I'm sure you could correct that easily enough...)
He was almost at max cool. He just needed to dual wield. 😂
More surface creates more surface tension. More surface tension, increase stiffness. Also, sending a smooth blade into a body, creates a vacuum. As a tool & Die machist, air paths make a big difference to function. Close tolerances lead to vacuum pulling parts back in.
okay, flinging the sword out of it's sheath and catching it was awesome
That intro was brilliant. Well done sir. Take my upvote.
I laughed my ass off, haha!
I've always lived in very rocky areas, so throwing a sword into the ground sounds like a good way to annihilate the tip of the blade, and a good chance to have it bounce out.
If your sword is offended by a little spit, you can always use the chucks of the nun. They never complain.
Suggestion unclear, my local church has run out of nuns after I chucked them at the invading northmen. What do?
Dont chuck nuns
how much nun a nun chuk chucks when a num chuck chucks none num chuck
chucks of the nun variety
@@10011110011 Betcha can't say that three times fast.
the whole blade in ground thing was taught to me not for your reasons of damage, but due to silica and rocks dulling the edge or damaging the tip. I still do this though because I know an ancient lost art-sharpening.
Still though, do you want to keep sharpening tour sword way more than otherwise necessary?
This video can be applied to many things and practices in day to day life. I'm glad you touched upon this topic cause more people seem to grasp upon things in hopes of giving themselves validity. As always a great video
I've heard people say you shouldn't thrust with curved swords. I understand that the curve may keep it from penetrating as far, or that your accuracy for the thrust could be off, but still. I believe that if you feel the need to do it in the moment, then go for it
So with a curved sword, it is wrong to end a fight, by stabbing your opponent, who is on the ground, by stabbing him? I should instead swing the sword down on the opponent and risk a block? Complete bullcrap...
@@finxn77 Right? It's got a sharp tip. I see no problem with using it to thrust
7:13 best foreshadowing of the video
'disrespecting the blade'
great job Shad, love your work!
Man I loved this video Shad. Reminds me a lot of the philosophy of miyamoto musashi as well. He just dual wielded and beat samurai masters all over japan with his own technique, and everyone just got super mad because "that isn't how it's done" but he did it and he won, and then wrote The Book of Five Rings. Legendary.
I literally just wrote a comment saying the same thing I'm about to reply with here.
I have never heard of that book or its author, but tbf I haven't heard of basically any Japanese books or their authors. As I haven't really gotten into Japanese history yet.
Do you know if there are any good English versions of the book I could read? Sounds interesting. And maybe any additional background on the author?
I know I could just Google, but I like interacting with other people when I learn about things like this.
I love how he showed up super late to a duel just to get his opponent mad so they'd make more mistakes. I swear, Musashi was such a troll and I absolutely love it.
@@synthemagician4686 absolutely was a troll, he also never took a bath, so you fight the smell too
@@synthemagician4686 a serious Chad to be sure. Samurai: "Nooooo you can't mix multiple sword schools! You can't just do whatever you want!" Musashi: "haha. sword go burrrr"
@@bus3957 I don't have a specific version in mind, but I know it has been translated to english and published. Kind of like "art of war" by Sun Tzu. So if it isn't available at a bookstore, it's definitely online.
Woah... 11:58 that's an awesome trick.... This vid is one of the coolest, amusing, and informative vids I've seen from shad (aside from him acting like goofy brothers with his artsy brother)... Love your work, maestro.
It's always amuses me how a lot of vocalists are struggling to get a decent distortion, while Shad is doing it's perfectly just to express his emotions
5:47 Spongebob x aggrieved housewife
@@hashkangaroo lol
As a firearms enthusiast from the US, I can relate to this video, and I'm willing to bet we are the absolute worst when it comes to this.
I think they dont do it enough. Accuracy is like a dark art, the more accuracy and/or precision you want to get, the more you start to notice tiny patterns and synchronicities, the more you learn that these strange seemingly pedantic things matter. Everything matters, your rifle may just be so good you cant notice it. A less precise type of rifle can show the traits and patterns you need to key into more drastically than a really good type of rifle. If you want to get every last drop out of all future platforms you use and yourself as a shooter, it matters.
34:30 I have another point to why you would prefer to store your katana edge-up, and it ties into another bit of pedantry you pointed out.
The whole bit about storing your katana with the handle to the right in wartime, so it's quicker to grab and wield? Well, I'd argue, whether you're a lefty or a righty, and whether you store the katana handle-right or handle-left, it will be quicker to draw and wield with the edge up. If you store a katana edge-down and try to draw the blade right off the stand, you are going to end up with the false edge out towards your opponent. With the edge up, that's not a problem.
4:20 That's not art, it's just a display.
4:30 Never mind, you're right. It's art.
Just wondering about al the universes Shad destroyed while unsheathing-sheathing that katana
A storm’s approaching, for sure.
You are simply performing the dinglehop technique incorrectly if you do not have an abominably rusty dinglehopper.
My favourite aspect of the highly esteemed dinglehop technique is when my dinglehopper speaks the phrase "It's dinglehoppin' time." and proceeds to dinglehop a prodigious amount of rust upon all the weapons of my opponents.
10:59
A blade, made for battle, designed to defend yourself against enemy-blows and to hit armor and bones crumbles by being put into resting-position
I have two points and we'll see if anyone agrees, 1 storing the blade in the same orientation as how you draw it while wearing it would shave time off of getting it out should you need to grab it draw it and use it in the home. 2 there is a style where you use the scabbard/sheath as an off hand defensive tool.
This video was better than the title suggested it would be
reverse clickbait
When I was practicing as a violinist, my teacher was more concerned with my posture than my playing. The part about stances is related, as the point of combat is to win/do what works best for you, not to look good. I felt the same way about playing any instrument; it was about the music, not me looking good while I played.
For me, a confident posture while playing music comes from playing something difficult with as little effort as possible. My focus is on my performance, and while pedagogues will be quick to say, "Your posture is part of your performance," it should never be the focus. To use a modern analogue, playing "Hot Cross Buns" like I'm Lindsey Sterling would be like putting a polka-dot bow on a dog turd. Many thanks to my first violin teacher, who was a pedantic, self-important waste of my family's money. She helped me appreciate the replacement teacher much more, who taught me fun and interesting ways to play even simple music. I guarantee you my posture was much better once I'd stepped away from Mrs. Hot Cross Buns.
I was gonna say something similar. I play the piano, and the position of the wrists were more important. The problem is i'm short, so my hands are small, and a certain non ortodoxal position was better for speed, relaxation and everything
@@papillon1094
Edit: had to correct a couple numbers. I was off by 1 on my reach.
Agreed. As a pianist who's returned to lessons as an older adult (about a year now) and approaching late intermediate-to-early advanced repertoire (I'm learning Chopin's B Minor Waltz, Posthumous, and starting my first Bach Sinfonia as the lessons progress.), wrist position is very important for technique and health over the longer term, namely keeping the wrists up and relaxed so that the hands are over the tops of the keys to allow good space to promote independent finger movements, and overall speed, and accuracy. But I'd also say beyond posture and position, keeping everything loose and relaxed is more important than how high the wrist is raised.
However: I have an injury from back when I was unpacking some boxes of those slim PCs for an end of lease department to do swaps. In unpacking several of those, I tore the muscle in the webbing between my right hand's thumb and forefinger. (It stung like a son of a bitch when I tried to tense or ball a fist with that hand.) So I rested the hand for a few weeks until the pain went away. What I didn't do, and probably should have done, was see a doctor about it. My brain at the time was like, "Eh, it doesn't hurt all the time, so I'll just let it rest, not use it, and let things knit back together and heal." The result of that is I now have a hitch in the 2nd joint that prevents me from fully opening my thumb when I open my hand fully.
I lost about a full white key's worth of reach in my right hand from that. I can still reach an interval of an 9th, with some effort (octaves are fine) But I can no longer reach an interval of a 10th. And to reach that 9th, I have to bring my hand to the edge of the keys and really lower my wrist to make the reach. My left hand, which can open fully, has no real problem with an 9thth, and I can reach a 10th with only minor effort.
Er, in simple visual terms, when holding my palm out, I can extend my left thumb to a 90 degree angle from the edge of my forefinger. My right hand, I can only extend my thumb to about a 45 degree angle. So I lose about a full white key's worth of reach. There are some pieces that I just won't ever have the reach to be able to play properly (like a couple of Chopin's preludes with particularly large chords). I probably won't ever have the reach to do Rachmaninoff justice, if I ever even get to that level some year.
I guess my point is that, yeah, with wrist position and posture, there are certain best practices that make biomechanical sense, and promote speed and technique. However.... if any of those postures introduce unnecessary tension or discomfort, STOP DOING THEM! If you continue forcing yourself to use any positions or postures that introduce tension, stiffness, stress, well, technique is going to suffer from it in the long run, and in addition, over the longer term, there could be development of an injury like carpal tunnel or repetitive motion injury or other tension or stress relate pain or injury. The key to good musicianship is to be relaxed and fluid; the shoulders, the elbow, the arm, the wrist, the fingers, the fingertips, the torso, the ankles, the knees. All relaxed.
And that said, I even catch Jordan Rudess sometimes dropping his wrists below the keyslip when he performs (what we call "broken wrist") particularly when he's playing very quick passages. Horowitz often dropped his wrists very low as well. I won't do that, because I can feel the tension in my wrist if I drop them that much, plus I get far more range of motion when raising my wrists. But hey if it works for them, and they're using that position for a particular reason or technique as a part of their "toolkit" I'm not gonna call 'em out on it, and they're world class pianists. I'm still a damn student, hah!
@@bytemixsound I can reach an 11th with my left hand on piano. Only problem? I'm a guitarist and my whole thumb loves to stick up over the neck 😂
@@DustyNonya Rachmaninoff could reach an interval of a 13th. He had something like a 13-inch hand span, and could play a 5-finger chord of C Eb G C G. Totally understand the issue about the thumb over the neck though, heh. I dabbled a little with guitar. At least enough that I managed to write one of my songs with guitar only, though it's a simple one, haha. As a reward to myself for getting to that point, I bought myself a Reverend Double Agent OG 20th Anniversary edition. 😁
@@bytemixsound Pretty electric :). I generally play acoustics since the 1.67-1.69 nut width and thin necks trip me up.
As you noted though I don't quite have Rachmaninoff/Buckethead hands...so a Baritone style guitar is a hair too big lol.
Great video Shad! I really think a lot of these attitudes and pedantic claims stem from the "old heads" that were enthusiasts before the explosion of information and interest in historical weapons and combat in the internet age. Prior to this explosion there were not nearly as many informed people to challenge such claims, and many of these misconceptions got absorbed and parroted by new enthusiasts who assumed the old ones knew what they were talking about, hence perpetuating the claims. Many people have an unhealthy need to portray themselves as an expert on whatever subject, and they REALLY hate having that image challenged.
These kind of attitude about tradition & the right way to do things are somewhat important, *if* you're a noble since it's a way they communicate & showing of to other nobles. We however are not nobles, so do whatever you want
@@aokhoinguyenang3992 This is a great point. Among the noble class I imagine things like this could possibly fall into the category of etiquette. In the modern age, we seem to often fall into the trap of incorrectly attributing recorded noble culture to commoners because so little of commoner culture was recorded by comparison.
@@aokhoinguyenang3992 More important is that a lot of these traditions serve as a way to indicate that you are disciplined and have been taught and subsequently absorbed the teaching.
Never underestimate the power of disciple.
A good example of this is the brown m&m test. If a minor detail was overlooked because the person thought it was useless (or whatever reason) you can be confident the overlooked something else, and that something else might be important.
Some traditions were used because breaking them was an indication of something that most people would overlook.
@@SirSpence99 Understanding is the most important thing. If we understand why & how these tradition exist, we can choose to do the same/replace it with a similar but better method. Discipline is very important, this is about weapon handling
@@aokhoinguyenang3992 And this is why discounting a tradition just because you can't understand why it exists should be done with extreme caution.
i think katanas are stored upside down so you can draw it with the blade in the right position automatically without too much wrist twisting. although, by that logic, you should get a katana rack with the swords laying flat with the arch facing the wall. if you're not planning on defending against an intruder with your katana, store it however the hell you want.
Oh, I have to react to a lot here.
1) blocking with the flat. You can, but please, please, PLEASE, wear a helmet and proper eye protection. I saw three swords break so far, in all cases it was when somebody blocked by flat.
2) Sticking blade in ground. Well, that is hard one. I would advise not to throw your sword, you may hit a rock or root and then your sword may "jump" somewhere and hit someone. Also, it may damage the tip, I know, I know, not that important for us, but for real fight it is important. I would advise against stabbing ground with your knife, you will always hit a rock and blunt it.
3) Moisture on steel. The best thing for removing little rust is spit and fine sandpaper (200 or more). When you are done, wipe it clean and then use some lard and a lot of polishing. That is one of the best things ever, my sword was rustless for ~5 years, then I had to polish it again. Lard (and a lot of polishing) is way better than WD-40.
4) If your sword got damaged by putting back in the thing supposed to keep it safe and clean... maybe your sword should be made from something else than horse manure.
5) Drawing sword will make it blunt. Nice one. I have to admit, I had this problem with one knife, I made the shaft poorly (I was ~15 and I wanted to attach a piece of wire that would sharpen it, but I lacked the skill to make it). If drawing or keeping sword in shaft makes it blunt, you have a shitty shaft. Oh, and you can draw from the same side (so right hand draws sword on right hip), you just need short enough sword.
6) Left for peace, right for war... I don't know, it looks fine. If there were lefthand samurais. Again, I don't know. In Europe it would be something uncommon for sure, there is even a special word for left hand fighter. Sinister. Fighting lefty in a duel is weird and much harder than you would expect, but in battle formation lefties are clumsy.
7) Names are awful. Here we use three categories for sword, 1 hand sword, 1,5 hand sword and 2 hand sword. And then you add "broad", "light", "heavy"... And about "katana" meaning "sword". Sometimes we say that "katana is Japanese sword". Do Japanese say "broadsword is Scottish katana"?
8) Shooting from outside of the bow is 100% viable method. For higher poundage I think it is easier method and it is faster method. You may argue that "inside" arrow is more accurate. I don't think so, maybe it is easier to learn, but I don't think it is better. And look at Lars, he is damn accurate and fast.
9) How to hold a shield. Well, it highly depends on what is coming at you. There is a huge difference in blocking sword, axe, spear, halberd or stone from sling. I like the close hold for "not engaged" moments and holding further from body for blocking swings, but I can also pretend to be tired by keeping the shield down and then using it to attack. And I have pretty heavy shield, so it is hard to stop.
There is no "one technique", there are many techniques for many circumstances. For example, dropping your sword is probably a bad idea, right? But if it means that your sword will lie on ground behind you and you will disarm your opponent? In that situation you control all weapons and your opponent has nothing.
i really like the new dinamic with the new team. its not often easy to add people to a channel but it really works well here.
I was watching a video on @LetsaskShogo that talked about many of these topics. According to him Samurai were trained to use the sword right-handed despite being left-handed and Japan even had laws in place requiring people to walk on the left side of the road that the scabbards wouldn't knock together and possibly cause a fight.
Like in the modern USA, it was likely a region by region thing. Some states allow open carry, and others don't. And even in open carry states, you have areas where you can't carry. Like courthouses, airports, ect.
That move at 11:59 was so clean!!! Had to rewatch it a couple times
Very sleek.
Not something a beginner should try to immitate.
⁹
Man this video is giving lots of good material for "Shad out of context"
This team is really growing together and great fun to watch!
My old taekwondo instructor always told me keep your knees bent I was a 425lbs guy, keeping my knees bent was exhausting. After explaining to him I’m not locking my knees I’m just keeping relaxed, he looked me over and said he understood what I was talking about. But other students would yell at me for practicing my way.
Spitting on a sword can be taken in many ways
😂
Most end in lost of important biological parts🤣
Ayyooo
Swords can always be taken in many ways.
The worst is the dreaded pork sword.
Aww shit.. Here we go again
Parents often tell their kids not to play with sharp objects like scissors or knives. Shad and his gang basically said "to hell with that mom, I'm a grown up, I can do whatever I want". Like purchasing several oversized letter openers and making TH-cam vids about them.
And I like it. Hope to see more.
Repeatedly stabbing the ground is a great way of removing rust. Just look at a farmer's plow disks.
The way Shad walked up in the intro and let that sigh out, he knew what was coming. Sort by confrontational and let the salt flow baby!
To quote the greatest blacksmith in skyrim, Eorlund Gray-Mane: "The blade is a weapon. A tool. Tools are meant to be broken. And repaired." Yes, they're beautiful, but unless it's a wall hanger, they're meant to be used and abused. People forget that melee weapons are weapons of war, they were for cutting and piercing and chopping things. People, mostly. Same thing with a gun. It needs to be respected, but respected doesn't mean given a degree of reverence like it's some holy symbol. No, it means make sure you don't point the thing at anyone in case it goes off, or in the case of swords, in case you trip and it stabs them. Respect the fact that its purpose is to kill, and is designed to be really good at that job. Bang your sword against a tree, cut stuff, chop watermelons in half like I do sometimes. Because that's the kind of stuff it's meant to do.
shad truly is my favourite dinglehopper expert
Just pledged for the leather bound bundle, as a present for my sisters birthday thats coming up. She is a writer and loves books they will make an awesome addition to her collection and I'm sure she will love your story. Can't wait!
We used to get press-ups if we stuck our sword into the ground - it can carry tetanus, and since this was pre HEMA armor days, getting scratches was a regular occurrence 🙂
Some types of Japanese swords, such as Tachi, were typically worn edge down, and when moving (particularly on horseback) there would be more movement of the blade within the saya. Clearly, samurai were not concerned about blunting those blades in such situations so I doubt that storing a blade edge down on a rack when it is stationary would have been much of a concern. Your blocking demonstration using the long swords was great, but it would have been good to see you demonstrate what happens when you block with the side or back of a sword blade that does not have a cross guard but does have side projection (i.e., nagel, disc guard, etc.), as well as blocking and parrying thrusts.
Tradition was sometimes just someones personal preference that caught on. Same way as fashion often followed what the King wore among the nobility. Then years later people tried to make up reasons for why it had to be the correct way to do something.
You should always strike with the flat of the blade to avoid blunting it.
Always cut with the flat of the blade. 😂
I mean, if you don't strike with the blade at all you can't blunt either part of it.
That's why they put the crossguard in line with the blade and not the flat. because you wouldnt want someone to damage your crossguard by hitting it with their sword.
This reminds me of my early childhood. When I was in elementary school I liked to wear my wristwatch on my right wrist. And all the time, kids would tell me that I'm doing it wrong. That you're supposed to wear the wristwatch on your left wrist.
That and the argument about weather the clock face should be over or under your wrist.
Are you left handed?
@@surferdude4487 Nope.
That's a tradition from factory workers trying to ensure that if their wristwatch / wedding ring gets caught in equipment or machinery, they only risk losing their non-dominant hand in an accident.
I used to fence, and the tradition was that both opponents would stand on guard. (Point 1.) This worked great for a long time until somebody worked out that by standing on guard it made the moves that you could make from that position more predictable. Then it became very popular not to offer a guard. (Point 2.) When I was a beginner I found it useful to adopt a guard in the septime position against left handed fencers because in many cases it would throw off traditionally taught fencers (my blade was pointing at their gonads, a position they were not used to, and that made them feel defensive). What I am saying is styles change overtime, but also depending on who you are fencing. The idea is to win, so unless there is a really good reason not to do something, people will generally try it if they believe it gives them an edge. Sometimes it might only work once.
As far as how to block an incoming sword with the edge or the flat, I think the main concern is to not die. You can deal with a notch in your sword but if you're dead...
In Kenjutsu there are one handed techniques. Generally the Katana is used two handed, but there are several moves where you use it one handed before returning to a two handed kamae.
There are even styles primarily using it one handed.
From Musashi's "Book of five rings":
"If you hold a sword with both hands, it is difficult to wield it freely to left and right,
so my method is to carry the sword in one hand. This does not apply to large weapons
such as the spear or halberd, but swords and companion swords can be carried in one
hand. It is encumbering to hold a sword in both hands when you are on horseback, when
running on uneven roads, on swampy ground, muddy rice fields, stony ground, or in a
crowd of people. To hold the long sword in both hands is not the true Way, for if you carry
a bow or spear or other arms in your left hand you have only one hand free for the long
sword. However, when it is difficult to cut an enemy down with one hand, you must use
both hands. It is not difficult to wield a sword in one hand; the Way to learn this is to train
with two long swords, one in each hand. It will seem difficult at first, but everything is
difficult at first. Bows are difficult to draw, halberds are difficult to wield; as you become
accustomed to the bow so your pull will become stronger. When you become used to
wielding the long sword, you will gain the power of the Way and wield the sword well. "
Some Ryuha to have reverse grip techniques with the left in the fight but from the draw
Iaido which is the act of drawing, attacking and sheathing your sword in one swift motion is done with one hand.
Three sword style 1080⁰ phoenix!!
Nothing touches that.
@@SirContoI have never heard of this book or its author. But tbf, I haven't heard of basically any Japanese book or their authors. Do you know any background on the author? And also a way I could read an English version? It seems like an interesting read from that excerpt.
I know I could just Google it but I like interacting with people when I ask questions on stuff like this.
I've never seen such an intuitive way to draw a tachi before.
I heard that putting mayonnaise in the sheath of a weapon makes a nice snack for when you go out to battle and didn't have a packed lunch.
Love your content Shad!
It also attracts bugs that clean your blade! Pretty convenient.
I'm so sorry I couldn't get your book in my my library but I will try again cuz I love your and you are really funny and so entertained a lot I really love what you do
Shad’s Poppin’ OFF! I love it!
Just backed the graphic novel kickstarter, super happy for the second chance to get my hands on it. Keep up the good work Shad
Lol😂 Shad just doing something even more ridiculous at the end was hilarious.
On the archery topic, check out "Lars Andersen: A new level of archery". In order to shoot fast, he puts his arrows on the outside rather than the inside, and he is super accurate. It literally debunks all the criticism Shad is getting. It would be interesting to see Shad's reaction to this.
He commented on Lars back when he was making videos about the arrows on the outside rather than inside.
Yeah, but Lars shoots thumb-style afaik, in which you typically shoot on the outside, while the finger-draw that shad uses is more traditionally associated with the inside.
So that explains why shad shooting on the outside is (stupidly) controversial in some circles, while lars not
Lars also shoots very low poundage bows so it doesn't really matter what he does. All he does is spread shit on anyone else who is shooting modern archery, even though they're not really trying to be historical at all
He has collaborated with Lars on that very topic.
@@TheCrimsonAtom WTF Lars is constantly using historical replicas with the same draw as the original (central-asian, native American bows). His technique doesn't matter just because he isn't shooting long bows? Without presuming your nationality, I can say that the stupidest ppl in the archery community are the english long bow supermacists.
Also love this "lars shits on modern archers" bullsht. Good luck proving that without speaking Danishh)
just a single example For forging, i use a technique that applies water to steel to force it to be less elastic and malleable as a way to isolate heat for if i want to twist it in a certain place. I learned his technique from an engineer/machinist who may also have been a metallurgist and said its fine to use on knife/high carbon steels. But I had a guy say no i would never do that with high carbon steel because it could crack it...this will only happen if you are forging air-hardening steel, (i have forged air-hardening steels there are things you have to do to work them hot that you differ from low alloy steels). there's this idea that you get a piece of steel wet from heat its quenched hard glass. the reality (again, outside of air-hardening steels) when in fact you have to have to have it cool at a rate of hundreds of degrees a second to cool it(I don't have figures memorized). Wetting it you only bring it down to a dull red color. This is an effective technique if you can't get heat isolation from say, a oxy fule torch(which did not exist until relatively modern times) or charcoal/coal, and even with the later you still do need to use this at times depending on what you do.
Absolutely excellent video! I learned a lot from this one. Also I agree that the sword wall is definitely a better piece of art than modern art. By the way did anyone else notice the high amount of sword handling skill Shad displayed without any notion of it being difficult or a big deal? I’m pretty sure I would have accidentally cut myself just trying to catch that katana 😅.
This is a GREAT video! Thanks for teaching about swords! Not enough of this content!
I love Tyranth and Nate, but in my opinion, Shad just has such a charisma and humour that the other two can't compete with
Good. I wouldn't want them to.
I think they all have their own humor and I enjoy all of em
Yeah, only Oz was close. In some cases on par.
I went to a Renaissance festival in Connecticut where they had an arms and armor display and the guy doing the display was "educating" his audience on the appropriate terms and usage of the things he was showing. And while showing off a shamshir he asked what it was called, many audience members said scimitar, he then said the term scimitar is racist and told everyone what the correct term was. I had to walk away.
Skyrim is racist then lol, scimitar being racist is the dumbest take I've heard today, I'm sorry you had to lose those brain cells firsthand
How in the flying hell is "Scimitar" a racist term ?
Claymores are wascist, banned by those southerners.
@@Muster_Muckee_II im actually curious myself, i may need to google this!
@@Muster_Muckee_II so after looking it up, the only reference i was able to find was how Tolkien and C.S. Lewis wrote things and that they called the wrote certain groups as bad guys and they used scimitars and that they say the word scimitar, thus the word scimitar was a racial stereotype and thus racist........................ thats all i could find XD
36:34 The correct way to handle the katana is indeed holding it one handed, with the wakizashi in the off hand hand. You're also supposed to be doing this while standing at least a head taller than almost everyone else in your nation while being named Miyamoto Musashi. I read this in some old olympic fencing manual called the five rings book or some such.
But seriously... IS IT TRIGGERING YOOOOOU????!!!🤣🤣🤣 I love the parts with Shad speaking to the wrong cameras lmao
I'm just waiting for some lines in a movie, book, or game to go like:
"No! How could you do this?!"
"I'm left-handed."
Rafael Mahir Aghayev, five-time world champion, and eleven-time European champion in karate, is left handed and he used left stance to make his opponents uncomfortable, and proceed to wipe the tatami with them.
New rule for sword enthusiasts:
*Thou shalt NEVER*...
Not consider general common sense when talking with Shad online 😂
...so stunning, brave and bold! It's *genius!* I'll give you fifteen million dollars for the set! 🧐
If your sword is so fragile that treating it casually is a serious short term risk to its structural condition, you need a better sword.
The big thing to remember about history is that people were still people a thousand years ago. Anything people of today are likely to do with a sword, right or wrong smart or stupid, they were just as likely to do back then. Covering your blade in pointless, expensive decoration or shaping it in a less functional shape? Yeah, if they thought it looked cool they very well might. Treating a sword like a sharp stick? Yup. Using improper terminology? Undoubtedly. People are people, they do people things regardless of a theoretical "best" way of doing things.