#iaido techniques

[discordiansamba]

goooood morning have some noctis au thoughts in no particular order:

noctis actually ends up spending a lot of time studying swordsmanship on his own, because he knows one day he's going to have to teach rin because he wishes he'd known how to actually use a sword before drawing kurikara for the first time.

(this means he spends a lot of time watching videos on youtube on a laptop he borrowed from mephisto. thank god youtube still exists.)

mephisto custom made noctis' demon sword for him. he is NOT beating the 'has a favorite sibling' allegations. it may or may not be occupied by Ucchusma, so the flames it produces are the standard orange.

noctis: i need to give this thing a name.

also noctis: (never does that)

rin's sword is just a random katana that noctis blesses, because he can apparently do that. it doesn't channel fire, because the flames would very obviously be blue- but it does channel heat.

shima: wait. can you recreate those videos where they slice through stuff with super heated knives?

rin: ...fuck yeah, let's do this.

yukio: dad. aren't you going to stop them?

noctis: no, i want to see where this goes.

(the answer is a lot of exploded produce)

noctis' first student isn't even rin. it's shura, ironically enough. the past is just fucking with him now, he's pretty sure.

(he ends up teaching rin a lot of iaido techniques, because while he still heals faster than a normal human, he definitely can't afford to take the same risks noctis can lmao. long range attacks are your friend here, buddy!)

local time traveler becomes an early adopter of the smartphone. just you wait, he says! one day everyone will have one of these!

really funny to imagine that he's totally inept with older technology only to turn around and really understand the newer stuff once the things he's more familiar with start popping up again. that should have been everyone's first hint that he was a time traveler, lol.

noctis thinking that it would be kind of cool to have a motorcycle, but then looking at the prices and nearly dying on the spot. huh? they're HOW much?? even secondhand????

(everyone at the monastery pitches together to buy him a secondhand one as a present when he passes his GED equivalent. he's feeling emotions again.)

since yukio doesn't defect to the Illuminati in this timeline, it means that rin, yukio, and konekomaru all end up going along with izumo and suguro on their 'raid the Romania branch' adventure, which is how they still end up in the Arctic.

(shima's there because he's with the Illuminati. their objective was to kidnap shiro, which shiro saw coming from a mile away but faked getting kidnapped so he could find the location of their base and raise some hell once he's there.

they both get picked up by kuro. hey, your uber's here.

shima: huh!? how did kuro know to come get us?

shiro, who at this point knows noctis is a time traveler: don't even worry about it.)

the Illuminati just want Satan in Shiro's head- his body is too old to serve as a proper vessel at this point, especially in comparison to the one they've crafted for Satan.

rin and yukio's post-Arctic conflict of knowing that their dad is a version of rin from the future but like. he's also still their dad. but he's also rin from the future. they are in agony. what do they do??? they can't just keep calling him dad, right???

noctis, who has not been bothered by that in literal years: lol. lmao.

noctis' bad habit of never introducing rin and yukio unprompted to people who knew them in the future, because they already know their names, right?

[swords-information]

How Does a Katana Differ from a European Longsword?

Throughout history, swords have served as symbols of power, culture, and martial skill. Among the most renowned are the Japanese katana and the European longsword. Though both are legendary weapons, they differ greatly in design, purpose, and combat techniques. Let’s delve into the unique aspects of these swords and their historical significance.

1. Historical Background and Cultural Roots

Katana: The katana is deeply tied to Japanese samurai traditions. It originated during the Kamakura period (1185–1333) and became the primary weapon of the samurai class. Beyond its combat role, the katana symbolized the honor and discipline of its wielder.

Longsword: The European longsword, also referred to as the knightly sword, was prominent during the medieval and Renaissance eras. It is synonymous with knights and their code of chivalry. Designed for both battlefield use and dueling, the longsword reflects a period dominated by armored warfare.

2. Physical Attributes and Craftsmanship

Katana:

Blade Style: The katana features a single-edged, curved blade ideal for clean, efficient cuts.

Length: Measures around 60–80 cm (23–31 inches).

Weight: Lightweight, typically 1.2 to 1.5 kg (2.6 to 3.3 lbs).

Crafting Method: Forged using a folding process that eliminates impurities and produces a strong, flexible blade with a keen edge.

Longsword:

Blade Style: Straight, double-edged blade suited for cutting and thrusting.

Length: Ranges from 90–120 cm (35–47 inches).

Weight: Heavier, weighing between 1.5 to 2.5 kg (3.3 to 5.5 lbs).

Crafting Method: Forged from high-carbon steel, often incorporating a fuller to reduce weight without compromising strength.

3. Combat Techniques and Styles

Katana: The katana is wielded with speed and precision. Techniques like Iaido emphasize a swift draw and strike, while Kenjutsu focuses on controlled, cutting attacks. Its curved blade is designed to slice through targets with minimal resistance, making it effective against lightly armored foes.

Longsword: The longsword’s versatility is evident in its use for slashing, thrusting, and grappling. Combat styles such as German Fechtschule and Italian Fiore dei Liberi highlight its adaptability. The two-handed grip provides balance and control for powerful strikes and pinpoint thrusts.

4. Effectiveness in Combat

Katana: The katana excels in battles against unarmored or lightly armored opponents. Its razor-sharp edge delivers lethal cuts but struggles against heavy armor. Samurai often carried auxiliary weapons, such as the wakizashi or tanto, for additional versatility.

Longsword: Engineered for armored combat, the longsword’s pointed tip could pierce chainmail and exploit gaps in plate armor. Techniques like half-swording, where the blade is gripped for better control, were developed to counter heavily armored adversaries.

5. Cultural Significance and Modern Legacy

Katana: The katana remains a cultural icon in Japan, representing the samurai’s values of honor and discipline. Today, it is celebrated in martial arts like Kendo and Iaido and is admired for its craftsmanship and elegance.

Longsword: The longsword symbolizes the martial traditions and chivalry of medieval Europe. It is a centerpiece in historical fencing and HEMA (Historical European Martial Arts), keeping its legacy alive in modern combat sports and reenactments.

Which Sword Reigns Supreme?

Determining whether the katana or longsword is superior depends on the context:

The katana is unmatched in speed, precision, and slicing power, making it ideal for unarmored combat.

The longsword offers greater versatility and effectiveness against armored foes, with a broader range of techniques.

Rather than seeing them as rivals, it’s better to appreciate their distinct strengths and the cultural histories they embody.

Want to Own a Piece of History?

If these legendary swords intrigue you, why not add one to your collection? Explore luxury swords or buy quality swords . Their exquisite craftsmanship brings the artistry and history of these iconic weapons to life.

The katana and the longsword are testaments to the skill and creativity of their respective cultures. By exploring their differences, we gain a deeper appreciation for the historical and artistic legacies they represent.

[tokiro07]

Undead Unluck ep.3 thoughts

[I'm Going Through Changes...and So's This Anime]

(Contents: Ch.4-5 comparison, animation, voice acting)

Ginaaa!!! Or Gena, as they're going with for this version. I guess that's the official spelling now? I don't think Viz is changing theirs, but either way it's going to be annoying going forward needing to deal with multiple "canon" spellings

Anyway, Gina's introduction was really fun! Very full of energy, animation really helps bring her to life in a way that a manga panel just can't. That said, I don't think I really like that they showed her face when she was attacking from the satellite. When we first saw her in chapter 5, it took me a second to realize who she was, but after seeing her fully revealed like that, it's not too hard to connect that the girl in the first and second half of the episode are the same. I guess it's obvious anyway, but still, a little mystique is better than no mystique

There were lots of great bits sprinkled throughout the episode, with the animation and sound effects really adding a lot to the experience. Andy's 5-point landing being slowed down to a step-by-step process rather than happening all at once really drove home how unsettling what was happening was, and of course his Crimson Crescent Moon was sick as hell, I appreciated that it wasn't effectively just two frames (beginning and end with no movement in between). The arc of the swing wasn't what I imagined, I always figured that the draw -> swing -> resheathe was one fluid motion, but in practice they seem to have made it a real iaido technique, which is really cool

Gina summoning her beret had a nice bit of improvement in this verion, with it digitally apparating atop her head. In the manga it just showed up when she asked for it, and I thought maybe they like...I don't know, shot it down to her from space? This was a really cool touch that was completely unnecessary but added a lot of flavor to the scene, even if the mechanism doesn't have a clear explanation (she obviously didn't use the Union's usual warp method since the effect was digital and not cracks in the air, nor does it seem to line up with anything that I recognize from the manga in later chapters)

The highlight of the episode though had to be Gina's voice though. The shift from her bubbly persona to her getting serious was so god damn ominous, and coupled with her immediate display of power really reminded me that she's one of the Union's top members. I don't think it's ever established what her position is, but I'm decently confident that she's pretty high up, especially considering her tenure

If they made that one scene look so good, I'm super excited for next week's episode, they've really convinced me that they'll be able to do it justice! That said, they've been going at a pace of approximately two chapters per episode, and my estimate for next week's would take about three, so...I'm not sure if they're going to rush through it to match the pace I've suggested, or if they're going to stay at two chapters to really delve into it. I could go either way on it since this is going to be a very action-heavy segment, which means they could easily get through it relatively quickly

I've been thinking a lot lately that Gina's been rising the ranks of my favorite UU characters, and seeing her brought to life has definitely given her a boost. I haven't quite settled on her as my absolute fave yet, but damn if she isn't getting close

[spicykaraage]

Tenipuri Complete Character Profile - Genichirou Sanada

[PROFILE]

Birthday: May 21st (Taurus)

Blood Type: A

Relatives: Father, mother, older brother

Father’s Occupation: Public servant (his grandfather was a kendo instructor for the police force)

Elementary School: Kanagawa First Elementary School

Middle School: Rikkai University Junior High School

Grade & Class: Third Year | 3-A | Seat 10

Club: Tennis Club (vice captain)

Committee: Disciplinary Committee (president)

Strong Subjects: History, PE

Weak Subjects: None

Most Visited Spot at School: Japanese-style room (to practice calligraphy)

World Cup Team: U-17 World Cup Japanese Representatives

Favorite Motto: “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”

Daily Routines: Zazen, practicing kendo early in the morning

Hobbies: Strength training, shogi, Japanese calligraphy

Favorite Color: Black, gray

Favorite Music: Traditional Japanese instrumental music

Favorite Movie: Historical dramas

Favorite Book: Historical novels, books of ukiyo-e artwork

Favorite Food: Nameko mushroom miso soup, grilled meat (loin [23.5])

Favorite Anniversary: The day he won his first tennis match

Preferred Type: “How boorish of you to ask me such a thing!” (he looks pleased with himself afterward) ➜ “A refined person, preferably.” [23.5]

Ideal Date Spot: “Dating? What nonsense!” ➜ “Taking a walk through a (Japanese-style) garden, perhaps?” [23.5]

His Gift for a Special Person: “I will gift you my calligraphy!”

Where He Wants to Travel: The Three Great Gardens of Japan

What He Wants Most Right Now: A vase he found at an antique store ➜ A gift that will please Sasuke, his nephew [23.5]

Dislikes: Fads, electric two-wheeled standing vehicles [23.5]

Skills Outside of Tennis: Iaido, kendo

Spends Allowance On: Savings

Routine During the World Cup: Zazen, practice swinging

[DATA]

Height: 180cm | 5’10”

Weight: 68kg | 149 lbs ➜ 70kg | 154 lbs [23.5]

Shoe Size: 27.5cm

Dominant Arm: Right

Vision: 2.0 Left & Right

Play Style: All-Rounder

Signature Moves: Selfless State, Fuu-Rin-Ka-In-Zan-Rai, Black Aura, Black Dragon Strike, Double Black Dragon Strike, Ran-Shin-En-Pou

Equipment Brands:

Racket: BABOLAT VS DRIVE

Shoes: YONEX Power Cushion (SHT-21)

Overall Rating: Speed: 4 / Power: 5 / Stamina: 4 / Mental: 5 / Technique: 5 / Total: 23

Kurobe Memo: “He is quite the ideal player. However, he tends to rely too much on physical ability and not employ mental capabilities. Though, I must say his power does transcend what is reasonable.” <Official Description>

[POSSESSIONS]

What’s in His Bag [40.5]

Cell phone: Passed down from his brother a few years back. It has only minimal functions and there’s not many messages or signs that it’s been used

Menshita towel: A towel used in kendo that’s tied around the head before donning a helmet, it’s his favorite that he uses in his early morning kendo practice. He sometimes does continuous attack practice with the kendo club

Notebook and pencil board: A Rikkai University-brand notebook for classes. Key points are color-coded in three colors, and he always uses a pencil board

His calligraphy: “Always be victorious and undefeatable,” “Clear and serene as a polished mirror and still water.” He writes during his breaks and as a hobby. He carries the first one with him since he vowed to “always be victorious and undefeatable,” and the other’s for his home. He’s given all of the club members his calligraphy

His family stone: A stone that’s been passed down his family for generations since the Meiji Era. It’s used for training and he keeps it at the bottom of his shoulder bag. It weighs approximately 12kg

What’s in His Locker at the U-17 Training Camp [10.5 II]:

His calligraphy: “Concentrate your mind.” He had written it before his match with the First String in order to discipline himself

Cell phone: Given to him by Atobe. He’s not good with technology, and it’s only been used for calls and messages. His replies to texts are usually only one word

Spare eyepatches: Eyepatches he started wearing after the training on the cliffs. It’s unknown if he does have an injury or not…

Candy: A large pile confiscated from Marui

What’s in His Travel Bag [23.5]:

Japanese calligraphy tools: He offered to teach Auguir

What’s in His Locker [C&S]:

Bamboo sword

Kabuto helmet ornament: He plans on sending it to Auguir later on

Natural loofah sponges: He made them with the luffa from the school’s garden. He plans on giving one to Jackal

[shroudkeeper]



5. Does your OC have a signature weapon and/or attack? How long did they train to master it? (for Rivi and/or Kikyo)

Get to know the OC

Rivienne has had several swords in the past, though they either have been lost in battle or the blade itself was shattered. She learned when young, the skill of combat, mostly from watching her brothers at first, who prepared themselves to return to Ishgard and serve. It took several years to train herself in both short and longsword techniques, which aided her for the many years to come as she took on the mantle of adventurer and warrior.

Kikyo did not come to learn at an early age like Rivienne, but much later, when she was born anew and lived in Hingashi. Under the tutelage of Hayate, the first lieutenant of the clan, Kikyo learned ( and is still learning ) the art of iaido and iaijutsu. This is strictly for the use of her tamahagane steel katana called 天の風 ( Amanokaze / Heavenly Wind ), in honor of the priest that cleansed it of the malicious, accursed energy. It harbored a tsukumogami.

Though the signature weapon that is often seen on her person is the scythe which many are familiar with. It is called 离别钩, The Parting Hook ( or Hook of Departure - the inspiration for this is taken from Gu Long's Seven Armaments ).

The scythe was specially forged for her hands to wield, any other who places their hands upon the weapon will feel their aether drained upon contact. However, she did not have a master to teach her how to properly use it, the weapon itself became suspiciously natural for her to handle. This also allows her to better use darkness around her as a weapon by storing it in the blade itself and unleashing it in brutal attacks.

One of them is her limit break, which is called Dark Subjugation.

[amemoire]

Vale Can't Shut Up About Scara Pt. 1

I just want to talk about my boy and you all are the unfortunate bystanders.

Whether its in main verse or aus, I think Scara has a lot of skills and talents. It comes as no surprise in main seeing as he's had centuries to pick up and perfect any number of skills, so naturally he'll have the most there. But a lot of things will end up carrying over, so I'll try to talk about these across however many posts I make on the matter. This one is mostly going to address things related to COMBAT.

No surprise he's good a fighting— he was a Harbinger. But more than that, he was specifically given the title of Scaramouche, " little skirmisher ". We know that these titles are only given to those found suitable of them. When there is no one alive that fits the title, the seat will be left empty indefinitely. As the one found worthy of essentially being called THE skirmisher, Scara is highly skilled when it comes to combat. This is something that would have been widespread knowledge pre-Irminsul erasure. It struck immense fear into other Fatui operatives as well as the general public of Snezhnaya. People knew of the Balladeer— they knew him as someone you didn't want to cross paths with, but more on his previous reputation another time. He excels in hand-to-hand combat and actually prefers when things are PERSONAL this way. He doesn't mind using a weapon, but there's a special delight to be had when his body itself is the weapon. There's also a twisted satisfaction in dealing both death and injury with his own hands.

Apart from this, he is well-trained with just about anything under the sun, but does have his preference of the sword and polearm over all the rest. ( Totally didn't mean to match him with Ei like that ). The sword was the first weapon he received any training with and he's honed this skill his whole life, largely practicing iaido but familiar with other forms as well. Meanwhile the polearm is the next option that allows him to maintain both SPEED and MOBILITY. These two things are essential to his fighting style as he doesn't like to drag matters out for too long— centering his techniques around a quick and clean defeat. The bow is likely his least used weapon given how impersonal it is as a primarily long-ranged weapon. But this doesn't mean he's not good with it. On the contrary he's exceptionally skilled with a bow.

As far as catalysts go, he doesn't actually use one. Similar to how realistically both Heizou and Wriothesley also wouldn't have one. ( Honestly, I feel like this could be the case for many if not all catalyst users because they appear to wield elements in raw form rather than infusing it into something else ). Apart from how we don't see a catalyst in cutscenes compared to other characters that wield swords, bows, polearms, etc. it just doesn't suit the way he fights. He harnesses the wind to literally tear his opponents apart and throws his whole body into it. It's violent and fast and outside of gameplay, we see that he is still very much getting physical throughout. He's utilizing his surroundings, using his own body for a shield, getting in close, taking the weapons of his opponents, and even grabbing and throwing them from high altitudes. Simply put, there's NO ROOM for a catalyst to actually be there.

He doesn't typically ' play with his food ' and is more about packing a lot of strength into a few exchanges or finding an opening for a single decisive strike. As I stated earlier, he aims for the quick and clean. The only time he'll make things messy and wicked is when he's in a particular mood. ( And THOSE are the fights that he was known for in the Fatui ). These instances were known to be bloody with death coming before one could even blink. All hands and uncontrolled electricity ripping through those unfortunate enough to be labelled an enemy.

Another important thing of note is how he's also one of the few characters we know to have journeyed into and returned from the Abyss. And he didn't go just once or twice, it was several times over the span of an undisclosed amount of time. All that we know at present is that he was gone for a LONG while. So putting that into perspective— this means he went up against monsters that were strong enough to render him in need of repairs and enhancements, came back for that, then went back to the Abyss only to encounter even stronger opponents, thus falling into this loop until he completed the expedition. We can infer that he was able to improve and refine his skill rather quickly this way. It may not be Ei's 500 year long battle against herself, but by no means was it any less dire. If he couldn't continually improve then he would've been destroyed. And I do headcanon that the time he spent in the Abyss was equivalent to SEVERAL years.

I do think he has fun when he's fighting. Not in the same way that Childe does, but I do think they have a few things in common. He's just about always needing to hold back but finds that fighting is a good way to let off a little steam. He'll indulge in some of his violent tendencies and laugh at those who actually thought they stood a chance against him— because they NEVER did.

[kinfraught]

kamei family headcanons / npcs

kamei hiyori ( mother )

née umehara, born in nara and attended kyoto jujutsu high. later served as an auxillary manager where she met yasuko's father

she took a brief leave of absence to study abroad, taking two semesters at the university of north carolina in the united states

used to play in a 3-part rock band when she lived in yokohama briefly

handles daizen's estate/business after his passing, no longer engaged in sorcerer society

kamei daizen ( father )

was born without the innate technique of the kamei; considered a 'savior' like figure within the clan

was never terribly interested in jujutsu; started his own eyeglass crafting business on the side in ikebukuro

had a deep love for animals, dug and took care of a koi pond in yasuko's childhood home

never owned a car or utilized a driver and always preferred to ride his bicycle; even to mission sites

was graded as a grade 1 sorcerer

kamei yudai ( uncle )

a grade 1 professional sorcerer living in roppongi, becomes a supportive source of advice in both yasuko's personal and professional life.

knowin for wearing wrinkled suits, hanging around in burger joints, and being late

works independently of jujutsu society, occasionally shows up to kamei annual events

would've preferred to have been a jazz musician than a sorcerer, but the latter pays better

had the reputation of being the "lesser brother" but never let it impact the strong kinship he had for daizen. in life they were nearly inseparable.

operates a "dojo" where he "teaches" iaido - if he sets his alarm the night before

umehara hachiro ( maternal grandfather )

a quite man who lives outside of nara, was involved in jujutsu society in what he claims was its "heyday"

retired from his duties as a sorcerer in his thirties and moved to nara to open a print shop

spends much of his time gardening, occasionally ventures into tokyo but despises clan politics and sorcerer society in general

sends yasuko photos of his flowers in the mail every spring and fall

kamei masaru ( paternal grandfather )

a well-respected member of the kamei clan, assisted hiyori with raising yasuko when daizen passed

generally considered to be part of the conservative faction of jujutsu sorcerers

dedicates most of his time to maintaining a network of connections within tokyo and kyoto; but also enjoys sculpting in his free time.

was encouraging of yasuko enrolling at tokyo jujutsu high, though he hinted that he believed kyoto had better instructional staff

[marykevinusa]

The Short Sword: Compact Power with a Legendary Legacy

When it comes to bladed warfare, the short sword has been one of the most durable and adaptable weapons throughout history. In contrast to its lengthier cousins, the short sword was made for close combat and was preferred by fighters who need quickness, dexterity, and lethal accuracy. Even in contemporary tactical gear collections, historical reenactments, and martial arts, it is still a mainstay.

The short sword, which is little in size but has a strong purpose, has influenced cultures all over the world. The short sword's combination of functionality and performance has captivated Roman legions, samurai, medieval knights, and contemporary aficionados.

What Is a Short Sword?

A weapon with a blade length of 12 to 24 inches is commonly referred to as a short sword; it is longer than a dagger but shorter than a conventional longsword or katana. Because of its small size, it may be used more swiftly and precisely, particularly in constrained or small areas.

The short sword is a preferred weapon in conflicts when speed and agility are more important than reach since it is perfect for thrusting and slashing. Additionally, it is easier to hide and more portable, which has increased its appeal to adventurers, assassins, and warriors alike.

Historical Examples of Short Swords

Throughout history, the short sword has had many different forms, each adapted to the demands of particular civilizations and fighting techniques.

1. The Roman Gladius

The Roman gladius, arguably the most well-known short sword, was a vital tool for legionnaires. Its blade, which averaged between 18 and 22 inches, was made to stab in Roman infantry's closely spaced formations. Rome was able to establish one of the greatest empires in history thanks to its efficacy.

2. The Japanese Wakizashi

Samurai warriors use the wakizashi, a small sword with a blade that is usually 12 to 24 inches long, in conjunction with the katana. It was frequently employed for close defense, indoor combat, and ceremonial purposes as a companion blade. The artistry and cultural significance of the wakizashi make it highly regarded.

3. The Cinquedea

The cinquedea was a small Italian sword from the Renaissance that was renowned for its elaborate patterns and broad blade. It was frequently carried by townspeople and nobility as a self-defense tool and status symbol.

Benefits of the Short Sword

The short sword has been popular for centuries and into the present day because of its many benefits:

Speed and Agility: Because shorter blades weigh less, they can strike and change direction more quickly.

Close-Combat Efficiency: A small sword may be more effective than a larger weapon in cramped areas like passageways or crowded battlefields.

Carrying Ease: It is easier to wear, draw, and maneuver due to its small size, especially when used as a secondary weapon.

Versatility: It can be used for martial arts training, combat, utility, and ceremonial purposes.

Short Swords in Modern Use

The short sword has a place in the modern world even though it is no longer employed in conventional warfare:

Martial Arts: Short swords are used in the instruction of several martial arts, including Iaido, Kenjutsu, and Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA). For example, the wakizashi's unique skills are being researched today.

Tactical and Survival Gear: Due to its practicality and longevity, contemporary tactical short swords crafted from carbon steel or stainless steel are well-liked by outdoor explorers and survivalists.

Reenactments and Collecting: Because of their beauty and historical significance, historical buffs and collectors cherish real or replica short swords.

Film and Entertainment: Because of their dynamic movement and aesthetic appeal, short swords are frequently employed for choreography in historical and fantasy genres.

The Short Sword in Pop Culture

The short sword is still a common element in contemporary fiction, whether it is used by ancient warriors or fictional characters. Like few other weapons, it captivates the imagination, whether it is used by adventurers in video games, samurai in anime, or Roman gladiators in motion pictures. Short swords are frequently used by characters like Link from The Legend of Zelda and Arya Stark from Game of Thrones, demonstrating that this traditional weapon still appeals to viewers today.

Why the Short Sword Still Strikes True

The short sword is surprisingly rooted in tradition and functionality in a world full of futuristic weapons and enormous fantasy blades. Its continued use over millennia of conflict, ritual, and culture attests to its potency as a tool and a symbol.

The short sword offers a special combination of strength, control, and style, whether it is carried in the wild, utilized in martial arts, or shown in a case. It's a weapon that just works; it doesn't need to brag. Small, deadly, and rich in tradition, the short sword is more than just a weapon—it's a legacy you can carry with you. Therefore, if you want to get a classic weapon for your collection or even practice using one, the short sword might just be the perfect cut for your needs.

[gabriel-gabdiel]

【Draft】 Rurouni Yahiko Chapter 62: Hatsumode

As per usual with me and my brain, I'm suddenly inspired to work on this in the middle of being swamped with work.

Meanwhile, when I have free time, I'd rather do anything else but this. Go figure.

Something didn’t quite add up, Yahiko Myojin mused while wearing Masahiro Takae’s straw hat, an eye of his peering through a single slit of the headgear while he remembered the threat leveled at him by Takae’s vengeful son, Kaita Takae.

If the Sanada Ninja Clan had ties to the Brigands Guild via Masahiro Takae, why was Takae’s son working for the Minakatas and helping Kinta against them?

Was there no honor among thieves, er, mercenaries? Was Takae’s allegiance with the Brigands unrelated to his allegiance to his ninja clan? Were the Sanadas allies or enemies of the Brigands?

Then again, that vengeful ninja was the least of his worries and he was already running out of time. Should he even serve as interloper over business he’d otherwise have nothing to do with?

In any case, Kaita’s revenge was just one of the many things Yahiko had to worry about. He had a lot on his plate.

Myojin had gone through much in his wandering trip from Tokyo to Nagano to Naouetsu to Hakata to Fukuoka to his “little detour” in Yokohama instead of going straight to Kyoto.

(It wasn’t really a detour. He could get a ship or train straight to Kyoto at any time to meet with Kenshin’s master, Hiko Seijuro XIII, from there.)

In fairness, he got a lot of training done all the way to Fukuoka City before deciding to investigate the Brigands Guild incident that had ties with the Sakaguchis of Shinshu.

He also learned a lot training at the Sakaguchi Dojo alongside the students of Musou Madden Ryu, even though Kamiya Kasshin Ryu kendo didn’t involve as much iaido or battoujutsu as, say, even Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu did.

To be quite frank, him witnessing Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu battoujutsu in-person allowed him to counter most of their iaido forms, strikes, and variations.

New-school iaido offered nothing Yahiko hadn’t already seen from old-school battoujutsu, especially the superhuman version of the school that Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu practitioners used.

The only technique comparable to the sheer speed of the Sou Ryu Sen (Double Dragon Flash) or even the Amakakeru Ryu no Hirameki (Heavens Gliding Dragon Flash) was probably Kinta’s Full Moon Slash or Blue Moon Slash.

Yahiko wasn’t sure he’d count the riposte known as the Tsubame Gaeshi (Swallow Return) as a point of comparison. That wasn’t even a Musou Madden Ryu technique, much less an iaido one.

However, from a certain point of view, that ancient technique of the legendary swordsman Kojiro Sasaki was probably more comparable to the Hirameki than the Blue Moon Slash (since Hiten Mtisurugi Ryu was around at least since the Sengoku Era, after all).

He was getting sidetracked again. He didn’t wish to become an interloper in some rich samurai family’s business, but their ties to the Battousai Group and the prospect of dealing with the formidable Brigands Guild drew him in.

It couldn’t be a coincidence how even the Battousai of Speed knew about the Mimawarigumi Battousai. Or why there was a sudden rise of people claiming to be Battousai since the Hiruma Brothers did so in Tokyo all those years ago.

Also, the Minakatas were directly involved with his new friends from Shinshu, the Sakaguchis, who were also friends with the Akahoris.

Besides, why did he undergo this warrior’s pilgrimage in the first place? Of course, to somehow live up to the examples of Sanosuke Sagara and Kenshin Himura.

By reflex, Yahiko gripped the cloth-bound sakabatou tight, wondering what Kenshin’s capabilities were when he was his age.

‘I have to catch up to Kenshin,’ he realized. ‘I’m already this old and I still have a lot of growing up to do. Kenshin was already helping change Japan as the Battousai by the time I was his age!’

***

Rurouni Yahiko

A Rurouni Kenshin Continuation Fan Fiction Story by Chester Castañeda

You know who Soujiro Seta reminds me of? He reminds me of Xellos from the “Slayers” universe. He even serves the same function here in the story, aside from being the Rukawa to Yahiko’s Sakuragi.

Disclaimer: All characters used in this fanfic (save some others) are the rightful property of Nobuhiro Watsuki, Shueisha, Shonen Jump, Viz, Sony Studios, Fuji TV, Studio Gallup, Studio Deen, and ADV. This disclaimer also covers all the other copyrighted material that are far too many to mention here. Don't sue me please, I'm very poor.

***

Chapter 62: Hatsumode

***

Among East Asian nations, Japan was among the first to begin using the Gregorian Calendar in 1873, followed by Korea in 1896 and China in 1912.

They used it instead of the more traditional Lunar Calendar as the standard for official and international matters.

The world had left behind Isolationist Japan, and now a new Globalist Japan was playing catchup to it.

To be more specific, Japan officially adopted the Gregorian calendar on January 1, 1873 as part of broader modernization efforts during the Meiji Era.

Currently, in the middle of December 1884 in Yokohama, they were in the midst of celebrating another Gregorian New Year with the rest of the “civilized” world.

And indeed, they were a week or so away from January 1, 1885 of the Gregorian Calendar. In Japanese terms, they were on the cusp of the 18th Year of the Meiji Era.

The first sunrise of the year (Hatsu-Hinode) was fast approaching in the advent of 1884 or the 17th Year of the Meiji Era.

Thusly, the impatient Kinta Minakata willed his battered and bruised body to heal even though its damage was more self-inflicted due to him using Musou Madden Ryu’s deadliest techniques than any damage his bastard brother Lucas had done to him.

In Shinto, the traditional Japanese religion, people believed that the toshigami (New Year gods) appeared at the first sunrise to bless their followers with good health, good fortune, and prosperity.

He wished to witness the first sunrise of 1885 or the 18th Year of the Meiji Era to bring blessings and good tidings for the coming year.

To save his cursed family from self-destruction and upcoming karma from a half-brother who had every right to vengeance.

Kinta could not let Lucas massacre his family because it could undo what he worked for as a Mimawarigumi member during the Bakumatsu. He brought honor back to the Minakata name.

After witnessing the first sunrise, many people visited shrines or temples for the first time of the year, a practice called hatsumode or hatsumōde.

He wished to visit the shrine in peace with the Sakaguchis to protect them from becoming collateral damage from the sins of his father and grandfather. The sins of the Seiryu Clan.

The last thing he wanted was for the loyal samurai family that had been under their hatamoto samurai masters for years to take accountability for crimes they didn’t commit on behalf of the Minakatas.

The wish he wanted in his heart of hearts was the unlikeliest wish to come true.

That his surviving family members—his grandmother Mieko and his two uncles, Tatsuya and Kaneda—would turn a new leaf and take responsibility for all their dishonorable behavior in the past.

They’d besmirched the Minakata Family name far more with what they’d been doing in the dark than what his disgraced mother Aoi did in the light.

Kinta shook his head while he kept staring at the ceiling of his private hospital room quarters, a sleeping Abelia serving as his nursemaid and liaison to the actual nurses.

With him alone with his thoughts, unable to do anything else but wait and heal.

Unbelievable. Had it been 18 years already? 18 years since the End of the Shogunate. The End of the Civil War. The End of the Samurai Class.

Time flew by without him noticing. He was roughly Kyoko’s age by the time the Bakumatsu drew to a close.

She, like her friend Yahiko Myojin, were born right after the revolution.

There was a whole entire generation who never witnessed the bloodshed and death that transpired to build the peaceful era they currently enjoyed.

It was for them and the generations beyond them that moved Kinta to act even against his bastard brother he’d otherwise have no grudge against.

He also fought for the sake of the Shidai Nikuya (Four Butchers) who, despite being the bakufu’s enemies, he considered his most worthy opponents.

The Four Hitokiri of the Bakumatsu: Shinbei Tanaka. Izo Okada. Toshiaki Kirino. And Gensai Kawakami.

***

With the confidence that the Oniwaban or Niwaban had his back (technically—they at least had common goals), Yahiko Myojin set forth to do some investigating of his own.

The Seiryu Clan was one of the Shitennou Ichizoku (Clans of the Four Heavenly Kings) who kept a Black Book of Tokugawa and Ishin Shishi secret documents for their own nefarious purposes.

The volumes contained records of names, plans, and crimes that the government whitewashed because history was rewritten by the winners. The logs even had links to people in high places, like Hirobumi Ito or Count Kiyotaka Kuroda.

Kinta somehow uncovered the secret logs and with the help of the Sanada Ninja Clan, searched for the rest of the chapters of the Black Book as covered by the Seiryu Clan.

They could use the information contained from such files to black mail or manipulate the current administration or create a scandal that rocked the foundations of the government.

The Seiryu Clan’s Minakatas had already used their copies of the Black Book documents to blackmail the Meiji Government to giving them government influence as oligarchs themselves even though the same government abolished the samurai class.

According to Aoshi Shinomori, the hit against the entire Minakata Family might be a move done by one of the four clans to take sole control of this library of national security secrets.

This encyclopedia of espionage, betrayals, and war crimes documented everything known and unknown in the history books, such as the mysterious circumstances behind the death of Ryoma Sakamoto or even Toshimichi Okubo’s assassination.

It could even reveal who hired the Yaminobu to take out Kenshin Himura as well as the masterminds behind the betrayal of the Sekihoutai that led to the death of Sanosuke’s beloved Captain Sozo Sagara.

It even recorded the existence of the Ishin Shishi shadow assassin Makoto Shishio and his own faction of misfits, the Juppon Gatana.

This was the dreaded paper trail that both the Ishin Shishi and the Tokugawa thought they’d burn to ashes once either emerged as the ultimate victors and rewrote history as the winners of the war.

These fat cat Meiji politicians and oligarchs had no carte blanche with every decision, action, and atrocity they committed in the name of Japan’s future now that there were receipts included.

Neither side was completely faultless. As with any war where everything was “fair”, they each did dishonorable things to survive and win by any means necessary.

What did all this have to do with the rumors of a rebel Battousai Group that was also formed to topple the Meiji Government?

Apparently, several members of the group were rumored to be part of the clans or were somehow involved with them.

This was the case of Shogo Amakusa and Kaede Morinaga attempting to assassinate Tetsuo Akahori, whose brother was Kinta Minakata’s disgraced father Azuma Minakata (nee Akahori).

Since this was the only clue Yahiko had so far (aside from having the Battousai of Speed as a dormant traveling companion in the form of her alter ego, Munenori Minoe), he decided to stick around a little while longer in Yokohama.

Something was bound to come to a head if he kept pushing and prodding this case that was otherwise unrelated to him involving odious oligarchs cut from the same cloth as Jusanro Tani.

Besides which, regardless of Yahiko’s lack of a dog in this fight for national secrets and links to war crimes and crimes against humanity, the Black Book remained… concerning.

Some of its most vital information was so sensitive that they were also a matter of national security. It was downright treasonous for these spy clans to harbor such secrets, especially with a government seeking to establish itself on the global scene.

If this information were to fall in the wrong hands, like any of the current worldwide superpowers, it could spell doom and gloom for not only the Meiji Government but for the Empire of Japan.

Anyone who had the complete volumes could put all oligarchs of the Meiji Oligarchy under their thumb because many of those politicians weren’t clean and had career-ending sins.

The potential for political upheaval, another civil war, revolution, foreign interference, or even invasion by the more expansionist countries was too great for Myojin to ignore the Black Book regardless of its link to corrupt politicians.

He’d normally be all for draining the swamp and getting rid of the crocs underneath, but like Kenshin, he was more concerned of its impact on normal folk.

He probably should be more concerned about this Four Clans business as much as (if not more than) the terrorist assassination group named after Kenshin.

It was a time bomb waiting to explode, with each of the clans (as far as he knew)—Seiryu, Byakko, Genbu, and Suzaku—serving as the four lit fuses to the explosive exposé.

Sooner or later, he himself might need to defuse that bomb too. Otherwise, the upcoming 18th Year of the Meiji might become its last.

***

As Yahiko did his morning jog in Yokohama, he saw someone familiar. Two someones, actually.

To his surprise, he could’ve sworn he just saw Kenshin pass him by, which prompted him to wield his wrapped-up sakabatou inheritance at a familiar face.

An eye blink later, he realized he’d been pointing his weapon at a surprised (and bandaged) Munenori Minoe. Minoe was traveling alongside their thuggish brute of a friend, the Great Gan.

The eye-patched person with the purple wig blinked at him in return. “Yahiko-chi…?”

Myojin relaxed his tense body and slung his blade over his shoulder again. ‘I really do have lots more to work on if I’m getting spooked by Minoe of all people.’

Inwardly, a voice inside Yahiko chided him for thinking that way. What was he even talking about? Without the wig and eyepatch, Minoe was the spirit and image of Kenshin Himura!

Kaede Morinaga. The Battousai of Speed. The assassin that almost took a minister’s life. Tetsuo Akahori’s life.

Meanwhile, in contrast, Yahiko was attempting to save another Battousai—the Mimawarigumi Battousai—and his rich family from harm against mercenaries overseas.

Was he still supposed to pretend Minoe wasn’t Kaede after everything they’d been through? Should he continue the charade that neither of them believed in?

To this day, they had to keep pretending to be comrades, waiting for the other shoe to drop where they couldn’t deny their allegiances any longer and draw swords against each other.

Minoe belonged with the Hidden Christian terrorists. Yahiko promised to defend the peace established by Kenshin Himura and the Meiji Government. Their objectives were at odds with one another.

Still, Yahiko couldn’t help but say, “Thank you,” to the disguised Kaede.

“For what, Yahiko-chi?” Minoe asked, tilting his head to the side.

“For helping me save Minakata Tatsuya even though you and Kinta don’t seem to see eye-to-eye,” Yahiko blurted out without thinking, uncertain of how Munenori would react. Would he say the same thing as his alter ego Kaede would?

The adorable Minoe cutely linked his two pointer fingers together and said, “Mochiron, Yahiko-chi! It was nothing. We had to beat up those Chinese thugs too, you were in trouble. Both me and Gan-chi chipped in to help.”

“Oh. OH! Yeah, thanks for helping too, Gan,” said Yahiko while scratching the back of his neck, embarrassed at how their companion became an afterthought. “I couldn’t have dealt with those lion mascot bastards alone.”

“BWAHAHAHA! Don’t mention it, Yoshi-boy!” bellowed the Boisterous Gan, who towered over them with his muscly frame, swarthy smell, and barrel chest.

Oh. And before he forgot, Yahiko punched Gan on the nose. Right on the schnoz.

“AUUGHH! What was that for?!” Gan demanded.

“Our mutual acquaintance Misao told me to punch you for her sake for being such a tattle-tale Peeping Tom.”

“You talked to WEASEL-CHAN? She was here? Huh!” said Gan, adding, “She’s flattering herself. I don’t peep on kids like her! I was peeping on older, more voluptuous women in the bathhouse instead!”

“Spoken like a true Pervert King.” Yahiko wondered why he hung out with a hooligan like him? Didn’t he pursue him originally because he wanted to dine and dash on the Sakaguchis like he was Sanosuke Sagara?

“Hey, that’s Soba King to you! Also, is Weasel-chan still obsessing about that tall, dark, and gruesome crush of hers? Something-sama or another…?” probed Gan with a scratch of his chinny chin-chin.

“You mean Shinomori Aoshi-“sama”? Yeah, they still hang out,” Yahiko put things rather bluntly with a chortle and an eye roll.

He vaguely had the inkling notion of needing to refer to those two Oniwabanshu members with more respect and veneration in light of their status and capabilities, but as always, it quickly went over his impertinent head.

Not the kunai that suddenly dug itself at the base of his skull though. That didn’t miss his head at all.

Indeed, their thoughtless remarks earned the ire of a certain irate patrolling onmitsu kunoichi, who shot kunai at the back of their heads.

“Eeehhh?” said Minoe, surprised at how his two companions suddenly had knives stuck in their skulls. “What just happened?”

Meanwhile, the shadow of a pigtailed girl in short shorts as ninja gear leaped away in a huff, taking a brief break during her patrol to teach Yahiko and his lumbering ox of a traveling companion a lesson.

***

“…Anyway, you’re quite welcome, Yoshi-boy!” Gan said after recovering from the dagger to the skull, plucking the bloody weapon out.

Yahiko chuckled as he himself removed Misao’s kunai from his head.

They’d better be careful with their words and of what they said about her or Aoshi. She was still apparently doing reconnaissance around the area. ‘Could’ve sworn she already left.’

The two knew better than to call further attention to the weaselly girl on patrol.

“Can’t believe I’d ever miss you calling me ‘Yoshi-boy’, come to think of it. But it has been a while. Or it felt like it.”

The Grinning Gan’s smile gleamed so much it made a “ping” sound. “Ya know it, Yoshi-boy!”

Before Yahiko even realized it, the Goofy Gan had become like his own personal Sanosuke Sagara. Wait, didn’t he just compare Minoe to Kenshin? And what about Kinta to Aoshi?

Then again, the very first thing in his mind when he first saw Chizuru Raikouji was that she resembled his kendo master, Kaoru Kamiya.

He’d been looking for substitutes for his Tokyo family all this time.

He couldn’t help but associate the unfamiliar with the familiar. Maybe it was his way to cope after leaving the place he considered home, the Kamiya Dojo in Tokyo.

“Where’d you even come up with a silly name like that?” Yahiko asked Gan.

“I dunno. You always looked like a Yoshi to me, you know?” answered Gan. “Patches is Patches, and Yoshi is Yoshi.”

‘Patches is Patches, huh…?’ thought Yahiko while taking a perfunctory look at the eye-patched, wig-wearing weirdo that was Munenori Minoe. Also known as Kaede Morinaga. Also known as Patches.

Also known as the Battousai of Speed of the Battousai Group.

Talk about keeping your friends close and your enemies closer. They might have to clash swords again like back in Shinshu, but for now they were allies.

Time had passed in the blink of an eye, but Yahiko still remembered that unforgettable night.

Come to think of it, the month was almost over and hatsumode was nearing. Hatsumode always reminded Yahiko of Megumi Takani’s birthday because they celebrated it a month before hatsumode.

Hatsumode, the first shrine or temple visit of the New Year, was a significant tradition in Japan.

It involved visiting Shinto shrines or Buddhist temples to express gratitude for the past year and seek blessings for the coming one.

This practice typically occurred on the first, second, or third day of the year, though some prefer to visit later to avoid crowds.

Oh, that was right. Megumi’s birthday was every December or just a few weeks away before the New Year and the Kenshingumi’s annual tradition of visiting the temple for good luck.

Her birthday was also close to Yahiko’s own birthday late in January, come to think about it.

Around this time, the Kenshingumi—Kenshin, Kaoru, Yahiko, Sanosuke (before he went wandering in America), and Megumi—would visit the nearest shrine in Tokyo to bring in new tidings.

“Say, a new year’s about to arrive,” Yahiko brought up to his traveling companions. “Why don’t we do hatsumode together this coming new year? It’s just us ‘Three Stooges’, together. Whaddya say?”

***

On the first of January, Yahiko had a dream. Or maybe a nightmare? It wasn’t scary. Just weird.

He dreamed about Kenshin Kamiya (nee Himura) last night.

Or was he Kaede Morinaga instead? Kaede looked like a younger version of Kenshin, like Kenshin before he received his cross scar (but Kaede had a cross scar near her eye).

The two became one person, a giant, that grabbed Yahiko by the palm of his/her hand, crushing him. Either that or he shrunk to the size of Kenshin’s/Kaede’s hand.

Afterwards, the next thing he knew, his hand got grabbed by Gan as they ran away from the titanic Kaede or Kenshin lumbering after them with earth-shattering feet.

Maybe it was Kenshin because beside Gan was Minoe (who was otherwise just Kaede in a wig and eye patch disguise).

They ran towards a tori gate, on its other end a long outdoor stone staircase, which made Yahiko realize they’d been inside a temple or shrine this whole time.

They then ended up face-to-face with the other Battousai, a giant Kinta Minakata, who clashed swords with the Kenshin or Kaede giant, the Sanbaka stuck in the middle in a shower of sparks that looked like late evening fireworks.

From there, Yahiko woke up, wondering what his first dream of the new year was supposed to symbolize.

***

The Sanbaka had their temple visit on the 2nd of January. They went to the Iseyama Kotai Jingu Shrine.

Known as the Ise Jingu of the Kanto region, the Shinto shrine relocated to Yokohama in 1870. It was a central shrine in both the Shinto religion and Yokohama, with its picturesque surroundings popular for weddings.

The shrine was said to be a symbol of the city's unity after its relocation and the subsequent festival.

In contrast, Yahiko learned from Satsuki that the whole entourage of the Minakatas and Sakaguchis went instead to the Gumyoji Temple.

Gumyoji was the oldest temple in Yokohama, founded in 721. It had been a significant site for Buddhist scholars and teachers. The temple featured an 11-headed Kannon statue, a National Treasure of Japan.

But of course, the hatamoto-class Minakatas would want to attend hatsumode at such an ancient and revered temple. It presented them with better optics and a temple visit worthy of their previous social standing (even though the samurai class was already abolished by then).

Yahiko decided to go to a different temple on a whim because he, an outsider, didn’t feel comfortable in attending hatsumode with such a large gathering of two families together.

He also went to a separate shrine on behalf of Minoe because of his issues with Kinta Minakata.

Apparently, Kinta betrayed the Hidden Christians to the government six years ago, around the same time the Kenshingumi faced off against Shishio’s faction, acting as the government mole that destroyed the rebels from within.

A pool of nostalgia filled Yahiko’s heart, remembering all the times he and the Kamiya Family visited the shrine along with Tsubame Sanjo and Tae Sekihara from the Akabeko during the first few days of the new year.

Maybe that was why he avoided doing the shrine visit with the Sakaguchis and Minakatas. On one hand, the traditional was an intimate thing done with your true family rather than a bunch of strangers and acquaintances.

On the other hand, even though he just as recently met the Sanbaka, he felt closer with them than he did those two families. They also followed a different group dynamic.

Yahiko just felt weird “betraying” the Kamiya Family and friends by going to the temple with strangers. At least with the Sanbaka, it merely felt like he was going out with new friends while away from Tokyo and his real family.

It was illogical to feel that way when he gave the notion a second or third thought, but that was just how he felt.

The Sanbaka thusly did the whole shebang of ringing bells, offering coins as donations to increase their good luck, and praying for good health, success, and happiness for the coming year.

They did the tradition where they threw coins at the coin altar, bowed deeply twice, clapped their hands at chest level twice, then bowed deeply once afterwards.

The three then proceeded to get their omikuji, the traditional paper lottery of luck sold at temples.

From there, one could get extremely good luck, moderate luck, or bad luck. They just need to give a donation to get a random folded piece of paper containing their luck for the year.

Both Yahiko and Minoe received moderately good luck om paper, which bode well for their immediate future for the year 1885 or the 18th Year of the Meiji Era in Japan (even though their relationship was a bit of a ticking time bomb as it was).

However, apparently, Gan received some bad luck from his omikuji. Terrible luck, actually.

“ACK! What am I going to do, Patches?! Yoshi-boy?!” asked a profusely sweating Gan, who treated the piece of paper like an arrest warrant. “I don’t want to have bad luck for the rest of the year! Should I tie it to a tree?”

“I've heard that if you tie that to a tree, the bad luck will be purified and disappear,” said Minoe.

“But I've also heard that tying it to a tree will make the fortune come true,” said Yahiko, which only confused Gan further.

“Which one is it? What should I do?” said the Worried Gan.

“I bet you’re screwed either way,” remarked Yahiko with a shrug.

They tied the paper anyway and Myojin lent the hooligan some money for a good luck charm. He actually paid good luck charms for all of them from money he got from odd jobs.

They were about to leave to eat at some nearby restaurant when they chanced upon some unlikely visitors to the temple.

It was the pale, bespectacled Rin Akahori accompanied by her bodyguard, the forever smiling Soujiro Seta who was clad in his signature blue kimono with purple linings mixed together a western button-up long-sleeved shirt underneath.

“Psycho-Kid,” murmured Yahiko under his breath. He was the last person he expected to be there.

***

The spiky-haired Yahiko exchanged glances with the technically older yet somehow youthful Soujiro. The two looked about the same age though.

“Ah. Yahiko-san,” said Soujiro. “It’s been a long time since we last crossed swords. How are you?”

“That’s my line!” said Yahiko by reflex. He didn’t really care about how Psycho-Kid was doing. He did have enough wherewithal to give a bow of acknowledgement to the Oyakata’s little princess, Rin.

The milky-skinned young woman Rin bowed in return. Then, after adjusting her tinted glasses, she asked Soujiro, “Who are these people, Seta-kun? Friends of yours?”

“Oh, have you forgotten? They were Akahori-san’s bodyguards, remember?” said Seta, eyeing all three. “You’ve met Myojin Yahiko-san, correct? He saved your father’s life.”

“Myojin-kun,” said Rin, smacking an open palm. “I remember now. Thank you again for saving Father’s life. And Seta-kun’s life. I’m eternally grateful.”

Yahiko scratched the back of his head, stating, “It’s not a big deal. I was just doing my job. I did what I was paid to do.”

Rin nodded. “I respect that. You did superbly, even though you weren’t in Father’s payroll like Seta-kun was. You’ve earned your keep.”

The Great Gan guffawed, puffing up his chest. “Well, what about me, little princess? I risked my life taken on that Kumamoto Amakusa scoundrel too! I should’ve gotten as big of a reward instead of being paid peanuts!”

Rin shrugged. “You didn’t save Father or Seta-kun, so you were paid thusly,” which made the boisterous thug deflate.

Yahiko and Soujiro both patted the poor lug’s back over Rin’s matter-of-fact bluntness.

The twenty-something swordsman then spared a glance at Minoe and chuckled. “And here’s one of Akahori-san’s Togakudan spies for good measure. Minoe Munenori is your name, I believe.”

Yahiko then gulped, unsure of whether or not Soujiro had figured out Minoe’s true identity as the Battousai of Speed or if they were also keeping up charades like he was.

Wishing to change the subject, Yahiko brought up, “We wouldn’t want to keep you two from missing out on hatsumode or anything. It was nice meeting you again, Psycho-Kid… I mean, Seta Soujiro. And you too, Akahori Rin.”

Gan guffawed at the “Psycho-Kid” nickname while Soujiro paid the sobriquet no mind. Meanwhile, Rin mouthed the words.

‘Real smooth, Yahiko,’ the samurai kid thought to himself. ‘Go ahead. Eat that foot.’

“We already went to the Tomioka Hachimangu yesterday,” countered Soujiro as smoothly as he countered Yahiko’s Jodan-no-Kamae slash when they first dueled. “We’re through with hatsumode.”

The Tomioka Hachiman Shrine was believed to have been built by Minamoto no Yoritomo in 1191 and was a significant place of worship during the Kamakura period, thus making it a heritage site.

The Akahori bodyguard then said, “Saay, Minoe-san,” with an inquisitive head tilt. “Whatever happened to your short sword. The one that’s reverse-edged like Yahiko-san’s?

Minoe gripped and hid the sheathed blade in his obi, turning away from Soujiro’s peering eyes and his own eyes darted around.

He’d used that same short sword against Soujiro when he fought him as the Battousai of Speed.

Hesitant, he answered, “I’ve hidden the blade into this sheathe that makes it look like a cane stick.”

Gan then interposed himself between Soujiro and Minoe, sensing something was amiss. “W-ell, Yoshi-boy and Patches are birds of a feather, y’see! They both don’t strike to kill. They just beat up people but haven’t killed anyone!”

Soujiro eyes became small slits as his slight, knowing smile widened, with him leaning forward, his gaze affixed on Minoe. “That’s pretty nifty! Stick fighting that can turn into blade fighting in an instant, huh? I’d love to spar with you sometime.”

“I-I’m good,” said Minoe. “I’m certainly no match against Oyakata-chi’s top bodyguard!”

Yahiko’s eyes bugged out as he gulped. Soujiro technically already did cross blades with Minoe. He then remembered what Soujiro said earlier.

“Wait a minute. What are you doing here at the Iseyama Shrine if you two already did hatsumode yesterday at Tomioka Shrine?”

Soujiro shrugged and raised his arms up in surrender. “You got us. We’re actually here to keep tabs on the Minakatas on Akahori-san’s behalf.”

“What? You’re in the wrong shrine, Mister Psycho-Kid!” exclaimed Gan, unable to help himself in calling Soujiro by Yahiko’s nickname of him. “I heard they’re at the fancy Gumyoji Temple instead!”

“No, they’re not,” Rin corrected. “We were informed the Minakatas and Sakaguchis decided to split up and some of them went here to this shrine instead.”

As if on cue, the Three Stooges and the pair of Soujiro and Rin saw a certain someone arrive and about to exit the tori gate.

For a second, Yahiko thought he saw Aoshi Shinomori and Misao Makimachi together in the same shrine as the Sanbaka, only for him to realize an eye blink later that he was actually looking at the figures of Kinta Minakata and Kyoko Sakaguchi instead.

Speak of the devil.

Wait. What were they doing there? Weren’t they supposed to gather at the much older Gumyoji Temple?

From behind them followed a very concerned and very blonde Satsuki “May Brooks” Sakaguchi, which made her stand out like a sore thumb.

She looked like she belonged in the pockets of Yokohama tourists here and there also partaking in Japanese traditions instead of a fellow local.

Soujiro broke the ice, greeting Kinta with, “Minakata-san! Fancy meeting you here.”

Kinta’s eyes narrowed upon seeing Soujiro, his silence speaking volumes. He didn’t wish to face off with the Ten Ken (Heaven Sword) on Hatsumode, especially after their duel went to a draw.

The English teacher’s eyes met with Yahiko’s, which prompted her to explain, “We decided to come here instead. Hatsumode at Gumyoji was… too stuffy for Kinta-sama’s tastes. We three went here instead and left the rest of the party behind.”

And so Yahiko’s first dream of the new year came true. The Sanbaka were sandwiched between a rock and a hard place—between Soujiro’s group and Kinta’s group.

Kyoko, who had just finished getting her fortune at the lottery of luck with Kinta, asked Soujiro, “Seta-kun, what is the meaning of this?”

Kinta answered for Soujiro, “He’s here to spy on me on behalf of his boss.”

Wishing to do some reconnaissance himself, Yahiko asked Soujiro, “What does the Oyakata have to do with the Minakatas? Who is Akahori Tetsuo to the Minakata Family?”

“Akahori-san is Minakata-san’s uncle,” said Soujiro.

“Minakata Azuma was originally Akahori Azuma,” chimed in Rin.

Yahiko partly knew that answer already thanks to the Oniwabanshu’s revelations.

However, even though they were relatives, Tetsuo snooping around seemed suspicious in light of the civil war between Shitennou Ichizoku.

Aloud, Yahiko asked, “Does the Oyakata, I mean, Akahori Tetsuo belong to the Seiryu Clan?”

This shook all three parties—the Sanbaka, Soujiro’s group, and Kinta’s.

“What do you know about the Seiryu Clan?” demanded Kinta while Kyoko and Satsuki held him back.

“Something about government secrets that could lead to civil war if they came out,” said Yahiko. “Yes, I also overheard about how your family used the info to get government cloud and positions as blackmail.”

Soujiro, for his part, laughed out loud. “I knew you were an interesting fellow, Yahiko-san. Where did you get your info?” He tilted his head. “Are you sure you want to get involved with the Black Book and the Four Clans?”

“I have my sources,” said Yahiko defensively.

Soujiro smacked his palm with a fist. “I get it. The Oniwabanshu told you! Himura-san’s old rival Shinomori Aoshi helped you out.”

Yahiko stared at Soujiro. ‘Damn, he figured it out immediately.’

Meanwhile, Kinta said, “My Uncle Tetsuo isn’t from the Seiryu Clan. He and my father are from the Genbu Clan. They intermarried with the Seiryu Clan to get an alliance with them.”

Soujiro sighed. “Aw, you spoiled the surprise.”

Another thing occurred to Yahiko. “Is the Oyakata responsible for the Brigands Guild attacking the Minakatas to get control of the Black Book? He seems the manipulative type.”

Kinta glared at Yahiko, but then looked at Soujiro. “I was wondering about that myself. Is this Uncle Tetsuo’s doing?”

Soujiro giggled. “I don’t know myself.”

Minoe cleared his throat and glared at Kinta. “I’ve heard that your Uncle Tetsuo masterminded your infiltration of the Hidden Christians, Minakata-chi.”

Kinta glared at Minoe as well, but he couldn’t answer him back. What would he even say? It was true. Tetsuo was the one who ordered him to become a mole for the Meiji Government to destabilize the Hidden Christians from within. Divide and conquer.

Speaking of which, Yahiko gave Minoe a sidelong glance. He hadn’t quite figured out how involved with the Black Book were Amakusa’s faction. Also, the eye-patched spy’s face was unreadable.

Were Amakusa’s faction after the Black Book too in order to plunge Japan into another civil war? Would Yahiko be forced to take him on as Kaede again come what may.

Kinta expected as much from Soujiro. He then asked Yahiko, “What’s your angle here?”

Yahiko shrugged.  “Protecting innocents is my angle here. I take no side whether it’s the Seiryu or Genbu Clan. Your volumes of the Black Book should not be used to incite civil war, regardless of who uses them.”

Soujiro then said, “Oh, you don’t know, do you, Kinta-san? Yahiko-san is Himura-san’s prodigy. Himura Battousai-san, that is. Your namesake.”

Kinta regarded Yahiko in a new light. “The Ishin Shishi continues to be the bane of my existence.”

Yahiko then said, “I’m no fan of the Ishin Shishi myself, but as Himura Kenshin’s follower, I will protect those under their rule.”

“Don’t worry so much, Cousin Kinta,” said Rin, “My father always says that each man must live in the pursuit of their own happiness and follow his own rational self-interest. As long as you keep this in mind, you’ll get what you want.”

***

After returning from an eventful hatsumode, Kyoko went back to business.

Kyoko had no idea what this Black Book business was, but she had heard about the rift between Kinta and his uncle, Tetsuo Akahori.

According to rumors, although Kinta did as Tetsuo ordered, he actually didn’t want the Hidden Christians to be annihilated by the Imperial Army. The two hadn’t been on speaking terms since then.

However, this Black Book business was quite a lot to wrap her head around. Sure, the Minakata Family save for Kinta had always been a bit cutthroat as businessmen. However, to engage in blackmail and extortion to get what they wanted was a bit much.

Regardless, as both an instructor of Musou Madden Ryu and her grandfather’s caretaker, Kyoko Sakaguchi had her hands full already. She didn’t want to add this Black Book business on her proverbial plate.

She was responsible for the beginners’ class of iaido while her adoptive sister, the gaijin bombshell Satsuki Sakaguchi, handled all the more advanced classes along with their father, Satoru.

Only two known Brigands Guild members remained at large, so the Sakaguchi School didn’t need to brace themselves as much against their attacks.

Most importantly, once this Brigands Guild business was done, it was back to normal for their family.

She can go back to Shinshushin and occasionally visit their grandfather in Yokohama during the holidays.

As grumpy as Grandpa Genzo was, Kyoko owed a lot to her grandfather. He gave her back her agency and self-confidence by teaching her self-defense using the family’s iaido school.

However, there were times when she worried about him. Like now.

Genzo Sakaguchi went back to work with his day job, which was blacksmithing. He had many orders for everyday objects like kitchen knives, cleavers, and whatnot.

He was a blacksmith by trade on top of teaching swordsmanship. He mostly made household tools in the Meiji Era, but from time to time he indulged in forging classic katanas as a hobby. Nevertheless, what he was forging now went beyond hobbies.

Obsessed, he pounded hard on the blackened katana over and over, putting layer after layer over it on top of powdered carbon to create the thick steel.

“There you go again with that sword, Grandpa,” said Kyoko as she assisted him with the procedure. “You’re going to break your back pounding on that thing,”

“Ah, leave me alone, child,” Genzo harrumphed. “It’s still not perfect. I have to keep refining it to perfection. Layer by layer. Bit by bit.”

He had informed her that he’d been working on this particular sword for months now. Off and on, he’d obsessively pound and refine the sword for around eighty days.

The sword he made now looked unlike any other sword he made before. The blade was completely black and somehow porous for some reason. It sizzled and smoked with noxious fumes that made Kyoko wonder what it was made of.

Genzo had actually collected swords from master swordsmiths like Goro Nyudo Masamune, Kotetsu Nagasone, and Shakku Arai. He then reverse-engineered their works by making imitation swords during the Bakumatsu.

He learned swordsmithing by making forgeries and he supplied cheap katanas by the bucketload during a time when they were in high demand.

However, tragedy struck the Sakaguchis. Kyoko’s grandmother and Genzo’s wife was killed by bandits who snuck in and stole Genzo’s collection of swords.

Although Genzo was able to defend his home and kill the bandits, he failed to save his wife in time. Despite knowing Musou Madden Ryu, the imitation sword he made broke and shattered against the ones made by Shakku Arai.

If only he were a better swordsman. If only he could match the creations of the likes of Masamune and Nagasone, then maybe his wife would still be alive.

Ever since, he’d been refining his swordsmanship even long after the samurai rank was abolished and an edict banning swords came to pass. He wouldn’t even sell his creations to foreign buyers despite the possibility of making huge money off of them.

He kept making them because of his persistent passion as well as in memory of his beloved Tamaki.

Kyoko knew the impassioned smithing of her grandfather won’t bring back her Grandma Tamaki. However, she understood why he kept on doing it. It was all in honor of her.  

***

Satsuki Sakaguchi couldn’t find him anymore.

Takuto the Minakata bodyguard was missing.

The tall bodyguard who told her all about England.

Who the people were like there. What they ate. How they spoke. The nuances of the English language that was lost in translation in Japanese.

The raven-haired, pony-tailed man with blue eyes claimed to be half-Japanese and half-gaijin.

This what drew her to him. Thanks to orders from the Minakatas, the Sakaguchis had to gather their best students and prepare them for a war against invaders known as the Brigands.

This gathering was what led to Satsuki to meet Takuto in the first place. He stood out from the rest of the security detail of the Minakatas with his half-foreign looks.

He wouldn’t fess up about why he became a bodyguard, how did he get hired, who trained him—nothing. However, he did keep talking about his travels.

He talked about the London Bridge, the Clock of Westminster and the Great Bell inside it nicknamed Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Tower Bridge, Trafalgar Square with Nelson's Column, and the National Gallery.

He also complained about the foggy weather, the bland food, and the districts of immense wealth cutting themselves off from the pockets of poverty, thus resulting in a gulf between rich and poor.

It didn’t matter to Satsuki. She needed to know more.

His stories fascinated Satsuki to no end. She wanted to learn more about forks and spoons and top hats and curtsies.

He in turn got an earful about cherry blossoms, geisha, sumo wrestlers, sushi, sukiyaki, Mt. Fuji, and samurai (or what was left of them) as Japan itself became more Westernized.

It was a cultural exchange between the two warriors.

She then heard some disturbing news. The bodyguard named Takuto was with Kinta around the time the Brigands attacked. Moreover, he wasn’t who he claimed he was to her.

Takuto was actually Takuto Minakata. The Prodigal Son. The man who sicced the Brigands Guild on Kinta.

She didn’t realize the blond devil who tried to kill her beloved Kinta was actually Takuto. Or rather, Lucas Grant. He was wearing a black wig that hid his blond hair.

He was now behind bars, but Satsuki had half the mind to serve as his executioner herself.

‘They better execute that terrorist or else I will.’

However, half of her wished it weren’t true. That Takuto would appear, reassure her it was all a lie, and talk to her about London again like before.

***

Genzo had visitors as he worked on the sword he’d been refining for the better part of almost three months.

The Sanbaka arrived at Genzo’s blacksmith shop, which was near the dojo.

“Hey, old man! Is training over for today?” asked Yahiko. “I wanted to get some reps in with Satsuki.”

“They eased up on the training schedule because they caught the mastermind of the Brigands Guild,” said Genzo. “Who knew it was the bastard son of Kinta-kun’s mother out for revenge? I didn’t see that coming.”

“Man, these rich people sure have endless problems galore. More money, more problems, am I right?” said the Stout Gan, who attempted to pick his nose but thought better of it when he saw the scary gaze Grandpa Genzo gave him.

The old man then stared at Minoe and asked, “Have we met before? You look familiar.”

Minoe shrugged. “I don’t think so, uh, Genzo-chi-sama?”

The spiky-haired Yahiko scratched his chin and deliberated. Maybe Genzo had met Minoe before, but as Kaede the Battousai of Skill. Aloud, he wondered, “Do you remember having old man Genzo work on your blade?”

Minoe’s one eye widened at what Yahiko said, which prompted him to say in return, “Yahiko-chi has Arai Shakku’s last creation! A reverse-edged blade!”

Genzo nodded sagely. “A reverse-edged blade, you say. Now I remember you. You were the one who requested I turn a broken reverse-edged blade into a wakizashi.”

Yahiko and Minoe exchanged glances. They then unsheathed their swords for comparison.

While Yahiko wielded Shakku Arai’s true sakabatou, the replica sakabatou ended up in Minoe’s hands.

“They’re both heroes who’ve sworn not to kill,” said the Proud Gan. “Bludgeoning people with their play swords should be enough to teach the bad guys a lesson, methinks.”

Genzo smirked, remarking, “Shakku Arai went soft in his old age, I see.”

Quietly, Yahiko asked Minoe, “Where did you get that reverse-edged blade?”

Minoe answered, “I got it from Shingetsu Village. Himura Kenshin left it behind after the Heaven Sword broke the sword apart.”

Yahiko whistled. “It was Psycho-Kid again who was responsible, huh?” Another thought occurred to him. “What were you doing in Shingetsu Village?”

The waif Minoe cleared his throat and murmured, “I was one of many spies for the Shishio Faction. I joined them before I joined Amakusa-chi’s faction.”

“Huh. That’s interesting. Why’d you steal it?” asked Yahiko.

“I don’t know,” Minoe said while tracing the flat side of the sword with his finger. “You have to ask her why. Maybe it’s because they look alike. You know?”

“Her?” asked Yahiko.

“Kaede-chi,” answered the pensive Minoe.

“Oh,” said Yahiko.

Minoe sheathed the blade. Yahiko was about to do the same with his but Genzo stopped him.

“I’m a sword collector myself. Can I trade that original Arai Shakku for a Nagasone Kotetsu?”

Yahiko took the blade from the hands of the old man. “It’s not for sale!”

***

After Sho Kojima, the samurai with the bouffant hairdo and lackadaisical demeanor, got his update on Kinta’s condition from Abelia La Cerca herself from within the Sakaguchi Dojo, he felt the unwelcome presence of a certain someone as he left the premises.

He’d been feeling eyes behind him all morning, in fact.

“And who the hell are you?” Sho told off the smiling Soujiro Seta, who had been tailing the “Sword of Life” and “Drunken Fist” samurai all this time.

“Oh wait. Kinta warned me about you. You’re the kid who dueled him to a draw and exposed the secrets of the Seiryu Clan. And the right-hand man of some rabble rouser. Seta Soujiro.”

“Aw. But Minakata Kinta-san never told me about you,” said Soujiro, his face as idyllic as ever. “Who are you to Minakata-san and why are you keeping tabs with him?”

“A better question is what your handler Akahori Tetsuo wants with Kinta. Why did he reveal the secret of the Black Book to him? Is it to distract him while the Brigands picked him apart?”

Soujiro smirked. “That’s a secret.”

Li’l Abelia tugged at Sho’s clothes as she hid behind him. “Is it true what Señor Kinta said about his uncle from his father’s side? He never attacks directly. He just moves people around like chess pieces?”

“And we’re looking at one of his pawns,” said Sho. Although to be honest, Soujiro was more like the knight or even the queen, the strongest piece, to Akahori’s king, the most important piece.

“Aw. Everyone’s suspicious of poor Akahori-san,” said Soujiro. “Are you going to try and interfere with his plans though?”

Sho smirked in turn. “He can’t control everything. I’ve learned from firsthand experience that life will always spoil the best-laid plans of mice and men.”

“We’ll see,” said Soujiro. “According to Akahori-san, people are very predictable. He does wonder whose pawn you are, Kojima-san.”

***

The Yokohama Police already had Lucas Grant in custody. However, they jailed him instead of sent directly to prison.

Caged in a wooden holding cell while awaiting trial, his cohorts Cain Merrick (the gloomy gaijin dressed in black and uses a poison blade that Kinta cut apart) and Hugo Lentz (the mountain of a man wearing lumberjack clothes and uses a gigantic ax as a weapon) had long ago been transferred to Yokohama prison.

He was also practically bandaged like Makoto Shishio thanks to the rough fights he endured against Zan with the devil mask, the bat-themed Baku, and Mimawarigumi Battousai Kinta himself.

He’d also been interrogated to give out the location of his other cohorts known to the police—the enigmatic disguise chameleon Faceless and the acrobatic, gas-mask-wearing Kai Hidaka—but he wouldn’t say.

None of that mattered though as the Faceless and Hidaka broke into Luke’s holding cell by cooperating with the discontented Gunma officers Yogi Takahashi and Hiroshi Hosokawa as well as Kanagawa officer Shuichi Hasegawa.

They were all the deserters who survived the Shinshu affair.

The same Shinshu affair where an attempt on Tetsuo Akahori’s life took place care of Shogo Amakusa and his other assassin, Kaede Morinaga, had led to a lot of death and demotions, especially since Amakusa cleaved through those officers like a one-man army.

The Faceless got into contact with them, they pulled some strings, and now, disguised as officers themselves, the Brigands was able to free the troublesome Prodigal Son.

One down, two to go.

Luke curled to a smirk upon seeing his fellow mercenaries. “You know, we have a way to kill two birds with one stone, right? Hand them chaos on a platter.”

The Faceless heaved a heavy sigh.

He was about to reunite with his son Cain again, the Gaijin Battousai, whom he had a rift with because of their little family reunion back at the Eastern-Western fusion mansion of Kaneda Minakata.

Cain distracted Kinta by killing his dogs, but the Faceless didn’t approve of such barbarism and turned on him. Only for him to now have to spring his son out of jail regardless.

Oh well. Luke needed the Foreigner Battousai for his revenge regardless of how twisted and cruel he was.

***

To Be Continued...

 I kind of wondered what sort of role Soujiro would fulfill following his encounter with and defeat against Kenshin at Mount Hiei.

Then I remembered the enigmatic trickster known as Xellos from “Slayers” who was such a fun character to watch and write about. They’re both mysterious young men who always smiled like they knew something you didn’t.

Also, the joke about omikuji was taken from Azumanga Daioh.

Selamat pagi,Abdiel

[rishkelly]

Real Katana Sword for Sale—Own a Piece of Legendary Craftsmanship

For centuries, the katana has been more than just a weapon; it is a symbol of honor, precision, and unparalleled craftsmanship. At JP Katana, we bring you authentic real katana swords for sale, meticulously forged to maintain the tradition of Japanese sword-making. Whether you are a collector, a martial artist, or an enthusiast, our katanas provide both aesthetic appeal and exceptional functionality.

The katana sword is a great piece of historical display, particularly for people with an apt taste for historical and cultural value. For some, the swords are displayed as a sense of cultural pride or as a form of displaying Japanese heritage. Others utilize these display pieces to accent weapon collections.

For sword collectors, the katana is always displayed horizontally with its edge in an upright position. There are certain philosophies behind the correct handling of Katana.

Why Choose a Real Katana?

A real katana is not just a decorative piece; it is a masterpiece of engineering and craftsmanship. Unlike mass-produced replicas, an authentic katana undergoes rigorous forging processes, including heat treatment, folding, and clay tempering. Here are some reasons to own a real katana:

Superior Craftsmanship:-Made using traditional techniques, real katanas have high-quality steel and a razor-sharp edge.

Functional and Battle-Ready:-These swords are not just for display; they can be used in martial arts and cutting practice.

Collector’s Item:-A genuine katana appreciates in value over time, making it a prized possession.

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[bushidofightsupply]

Mastering the Art of Martial Arts Weapons: A Comprehensive Guide by Bushido.ca

Martial arts weapons are an integral part of various traditional martial arts styles, offering practitioners a chance to enhance their discipline, focus, and skill. At Bushido.ca, we celebrate the artistry and practicality of these tools, connecting enthusiasts to the heritage and craftsmanship that define them. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned martial artist, understanding the origins and techniques of these weapons can deepen your practice. Let's dive into the fascinating world of martial arts weapons!

The Legacy of Martial Arts Weapons

Martial arts weapons have a rich history, rooted in the necessity of self-defense and cultural traditions. In ancient times, farmers and common folk often transformed everyday tools into weapons to protect themselves when swords and other armaments were restricted. Over the centuries, these tools evolved into specialized instruments of combat and training, blending functionality with artistry.

Popular Martial Arts Weapons You Should Know

Katana (剣) - The Samurai Sword 🗡️

Origin: Japan

Description: Renowned for its sharpness and precision, the katana symbolizes the spirit of the samurai.

Usage: Practiced in martial arts like Kendo and Iaido, mastering the katana demands dedication, focus, and respect for its legacy.

Nunchaku (丘) - The Chain-Stick 💪

Origin: Okinawa, Japan

Description: Consisting of two sticks connected by a chain or cord, the nunchaku offers both speed and versatility.

Usage: Popularized in modern times by martial artists like Bruce Lee, this weapon enhances coordination and agility.

Bo Staff (棍) - The Staff of Power 🏛️

Origin: Okinawa, Japan

Description: A long wooden staff often made from hardwood or bamboo, the bo is a staple in many martial arts.

Usage: Techniques include thrusts, strikes, and spins, making it a dynamic weapon for both offense and defense.

Sai (針) - The Trident Daggers ⚔️

Origin: Okinawa, Japan

Description: A pair of dagger-shaped weapons with prongs, the sai is excellent for trapping and countering opponents.

Usage: Practitioners of Kobudo often use sai for techniques that emphasize precision and control.

Kama (鉤) - The Sickle 🌿

Origin: Okinawa, Japan

Description: Originally a farming tool, the kama became a weapon for close combat.

Usage: Mastering the kama involves swift, fluid movements and a keen sense of timing.

Tonfa (鉡) - The Baton 🎮

Origin: Okinawa, Japan

Description: Featuring a perpendicular handle, the tonfa is excellent for blocking and striking techniques.

Usage: Modern police batons are inspired by the tonfa, showcasing its effectiveness in combat.

Benefits of Training with Martial Arts Weapons

Training with martial arts weapons isn't just about learning to wield them—it's about enhancing your overall martial arts journey. Here are some key benefits:

Improved Coordination: Weapons require precise movements, boosting hand-eye coordination.

Enhanced Discipline: Handling a weapon demands respect and mindfulness, instilling discipline in practitioners.

Physical Fitness: Many weapons, like the bo staff or nunchaku, require dynamic movements that improve strength, speed, and agility.

Cultural Connection: Learning the history and traditions behind each weapon connects you to its cultural roots.

Self-Defense Skills: While primarily used in practice, the techniques learned can enhance self-defense capabilities.

Choosing the Right Weapon for Your Practice

When selecting a martial arts weapon, consider your skill level, interests, and the martial art you practice. At Bushido.ca, we offer a wide range of high-quality weapons tailored to your needs:

Beginners: Opt for practice weapons like foam nunchaku or wooden bokken for safe learning.

Advanced Practitioners: Explore authentic katanas, sais, or bo staffs crafted with traditional techniques.

Collectors: Discover beautifully designed weapons that serve as both practice tools and display pieces.

Safety First: Training with Martial Arts Weapons

Safety is paramount when training with weapons. Here are some essential tips:

Start with a Qualified Instructor: Proper guidance ensures you're learning techniques correctly and safely.

Use Practice Weapons: Foam or wooden weapons reduce the risk of injury during training.

Wear Protective Gear: Gloves, goggles, and other protective equipment can shield you from accidents.

Train in a Safe Environment: Ensure you have ample space and no obstacles to practice freely.

Respect the Weapon: Always handle your weapon with care and follow safety protocols.

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At Bushido.ca, we pride ourselves on offering top-notch martial arts equipment that meets the needs of practitioners and collectors alike. Here’s why martial artists trust us:

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Ready to embark on your journey with martial arts weapons? Reach out to us for expert advice, product recommendations, or to place an order:

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Unlock the warrior within and embrace the art of martial arts weapons with Bushido.ca! Whether you’re training for skill, fitness, or cultural appreciation, we’re here to support your journey. 🌟

[genyukandojo]

The History and Philosophy of Iaido: A Guide for NYC Practitioners

Martial arts have always been more than just physical training; they represent a journey of self-discovery, discipline, and mastery. Among the traditional Japanese martial arts, Iaido stands out as a unique practice focused on the precise and graceful drawing of the sword. For those searching for "Iaido Classes Near Me" or "Iaido New York," this ancient art offers a compelling blend of history, philosophy, and practical skills.

The Origins of Iaido

Iaido traces its roots back to feudal Japan, where samurai warriors honed their skills in swordsmanship. The term "Iaido" combines three Japanese characters: "I" (to be), "Ai" (harmony), and "Do" (way). Together, they convey the idea of living harmoniously and being prepared to respond to any situation.

Iaido evolved during the late 16th century, a time of relative peace in Japan under the Tokugawa shogunate. With fewer battles to fight, samurai turned their focus from battlefield combat to the spiritual and philosophical aspects of martial arts. Hayashizaki Jinsuke Shigenobu is credited as the founder of modern Iaido, developing techniques that emphasized the smooth and controlled drawing of the katana, or Japanese sword.

What Sets Iaido Apart

Unlike other martial arts that involve sparring or combat, Iaido is a solo practice. Practitioners perform kata, or pre-arranged forms, that simulate drawing the sword, striking an opponent, and returning the sword to its sheath. This meditative approach emphasizes:

Precision: Every movement in Iaido is deliberate and exact.

Awareness: Practitioners cultivate situational awareness and mindfulness.

Discipline: Regular practice fosters mental and physical discipline.

Spiritual Growth: Iaido is as much about mastering the mind as it is about mastering the sword.

The Philosophy of Iaido

Iaido is often described as "the way of mental presence and immediate reaction." Its philosophy centers on preparedness, not just in a physical sense but also in a mental and spiritual sense. Practitioners learn to remain calm and composed, even in the face of potential danger.

Key philosophical principles include:

Zanshin: A state of relaxed alertness, ensuring readiness at all times.

Mushin: A mind free of distractions, allowing for fluid and instinctive action.

Sei–Chu–Do: Maintaining balance and harmony in all aspects of life.

These principles make Iaido more than just a martial art; it’s a practice that can enrich daily life, fostering mindfulness, focus, and resilience.

Iaido in Modern Times

Today, Iaido is practiced worldwide, including in bustling cities like New York. For those in search of "Iaido New York," there are several reputable dojos where you can begin your journey. Modern Iaido emphasizes personal development, making it accessible to people of all ages and skill levels.

The Role of Iaido in Self-Defense

While Iaido is not typically considered a self-defense martial art in the conventional sense, its principles can enhance one’s ability to respond effectively to threats. The discipline, awareness, and confidence gained through Iaido practice translate well into other areas of self-defense.

For those looking for practical self-defense training, consider complementing Iaido with classes specifically designed for self-defense, such as "Best Self Defense Classes NYC" or "Women’s Self Defense Class NYC." These classes often incorporate techniques for handling real-world scenarios, including unarmed combat and situational awareness.

How Iaido Benefits Women Practitioners

Iaido offers unique benefits for women, combining physical training with mental empowerment. While many women opt for "Women’s Self Defense Class NYC," Iaido provides an alternative approach to building confidence and self-assurance. The emphasis on mindfulness and controlled movements helps practitioners develop a sense of inner strength and calm, qualities that are invaluable in everyday life.

Finding Iaido Classes in New York

For those searching for "Iaido Classes Near Me," New York City is home to several excellent dojos. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced martial artist, these classes offer a welcoming environment to learn and grow.

When choosing a dojo, consider the following:

Instructor Credentials: Look for instructors with extensive experience and affiliations with reputable Iaido organizations.

Class Structure: Ensure the classes focus on both technical skill and philosophical teachings.

Community: A supportive and respectful community enhances the learning experience.

Integrating Iaido with Other Self-Defense Classes

For a well-rounded approach to personal safety, many NYC practitioners combine Iaido with other self-defense classes. Programs like "NYC Self Defense Classes" provide practical training in situational awareness, escape techniques, and physical defense. This integration ensures a comprehensive skill set that covers both the physical and mental aspects of self-defense.

The Journey of Iaido

Iaido is not about mastering the sword overnight; it’s a lifelong journey. Progress is measured not by belts or trophies but by personal growth and mastery. For those seeking a martial art that combines physical training with deep philosophical insights, Iaido offers a unique and rewarding path.

Why Practice Iaido in NYC?

New York City’s vibrant and diverse martial arts community makes it an ideal place to practice Iaido. With access to top-notch instructors and facilities, practitioners can immerse themselves in this ancient art while connecting with like-minded individuals.

Additionally, the fast-paced environment of NYC makes Iaido’s emphasis on mindfulness and calm particularly relevant. As practitioners learn to focus and center themselves, they gain tools to navigate the stresses of urban life with grace and composure.

Conclusion

Iaido is a martial art that transcends physical training, offering profound lessons in mindfulness, discipline, and self-awareness. For NYC practitioners, finding "Iaido Classes Near Me" or exploring "Iaido New York" provides an opportunity to embark on a transformative journey.

While Iaido may not replace the practicality of "Best Self Defense Classes NYC" or "Women’s Self Defense Class NYC," it complements these practices beautifully, creating a holistic approach to personal growth and safety. Whether you’re drawn to the elegance of swordsmanship or the deeper philosophical teachings, Iaido offers something truly unique. Start your journey today and discover how this ancient art can enrich your life in the modern world.

[battlingbladessposts]

Explore The Uses of Katana Blade in Today's Time –The Samurai Sword

The katana blade, known as the traditional Samurai sword, remains relevant in today’s time beyond its historical roots. While it is no longer used in combat, the katana has found new purposes. In martial arts like Kendo and Iaido, the katana is used for training, enhancing discipline, and mastering traditional sword techniques.

Additionally, it is a popular collector’s item, valued for its craftsmanship and cultural significance. Modern practitioners often use it for cutting demonstrations (tameshigiri), testing skill and precision. The katana also appears in film and pop culture, symbolizing honor, strength, and Japan's storied samurai legacy.

For more details, Click the link below-

[nataliaoliveroliver]

Martial Arts Swords

For centuries, swords have been more than just a weapon. They are also accouterments for the brave and a sign of the nobility and maturity of a warrior. Swords have taken many different forms over time, and every culture had its own particular style of sword based on the design as well as how the weapons were used. From the narrow and curved swords of Japan to the massive swords of China, these weapons are essential to martial arts. This article provides some of the well-known martial arts swords, as well as how they came to be, what it consists of, and their applications in various martial arts. 

Japanese Swords

Katana

The katana is a type of long, curved, single-handed sword that is characteristically known for its sharpness and heavy cutting energy. This fine weapon was used to be held by guardians of the samurai, and in a way, it represents the spirit of the samurai of feudal Japan. The katana is predominant in numerous martial art styles such as Kenjutsu which deals with sword techniques, Kendo, a modern Japanese martial art that uses bamboo swords and Kendo garments, and lastly Iaido which emphasizes the efficiency of a clean drawing and cutting of a sword.

Wakizashi

The wakizashi is a shorter sword that was also carried by the samurai, but this one is smaller compared to the katana. This multipurpose sword was employed in the close fight where the longer katana would be inconvenient. This type of sword was effective, especially during close combat. The wakizashi was also used during the ceremonial disemboweling known as seppuku, which was a sure sign of loyalty or honor to one’s leader. 

Wakizashi is an essential tool to Kenjutsu and Iaido—the two disciplines that deal with swords. 

Tachi

Tachi is a Japanese sword that has a longer and more curved blade than the katana. It is famed for its exquisite beauty and use. Usually, this sword was worn with the edge down, easily equipped to be utilized as a weapon for mounted Samurai to strike while on horseback. The tachi’s features are important kinds of martial arts like Kenjutsu which is the art of sword fighting and Iaido which means the art of using sword and specially concentrating on drawing and cutting with still, rhythmic motions.

Ninjato

Ninjato is a straight sword with a square-shaped handguard now attributed to the historical figure of The Ninja of Japan. In fact, its design gives a perception of the place that these are warriors who work in secrecy. It was preferred among ninjas because of its mobility and suitable for the covert action and for every successive blows on the opponent. This particular type of sword is majorly used in the technique that famous ninjas of Japan use in defending themselves and performing spying activities known as Ninjutsu.

Chinese Swords

Dao

The Dao, referred to as the ‘Chinese saber’, is a straight, single-handed sword featuring a curved blade and has featured prominently in Chinese martial arts. Due to this design and prowess, it became a devastating weapon that is capable of producing block and powerful swings. In Kung Fu and Wushu martial arts, the Dao has already formed a part of training where enthusiasts devote most of their time aiming to learn the correct moves both for an attack as well as for defense. The premises explaining the ability of the Dao to be used as a versatile weapon and its value in Chinese martial arts speaks a lot.

Jian

The Jian is a double-handled straight sword that is the most revered among the Chinese swords and known as ‘the man of weapons’. The Jian is another Chinese sword whose features reflect the high level of adherence to the principles of symmetry and balanced mention which render the weapon highly effective in combat situations. Martial art enthusiasts, particularly Tai Chi and Kung Fu enthusiasts apply the use of the Jian in practicing both for attack and defense. The splendid movements with Jian in combination with stunning techniques are symbols of the classical Chinese spirit and the teachings of the people’s martial arts.

Southeast Asian Swords

Kris

The kris, also called keris, is a special type of sword that stands out due to the wave-shaped serrations of its blade and the rich ornamentation. Kris, a famed dagger, originates from the countries of Southeast Asia such as Indonesia, the territories of Malaysia, and the Philippine islands. It is a weapon that is kept with much regard and is mostly used in times of ceremonial occasions and wars. However, Kris is closely related to Silat where the practitioners gain extensive of the moves involving the weapon for the purpose of practicing and cultural performances. It has equally become a symbol of Southeast Asia martial arts artifacts because of its unique design and as a result of being part of the kris.

Golok

Golok is a large sword that resembles more a machete than a traditional sword and has a fairly thick blade for slashing. It is said that the golok was a weapon traditionally wielded by the people of Southeast Asia, Indonesia, and Malaysia in particular but in addition to its use as a weapon, it is used as a tool for carrying out agricultural activities. In Pencak Silat, the golok is a weapon where the practitioners spend ample time honing fisticuff skills and deployment in fighting, defense, and even artistic performances. Indeed, with its no-nonsense functionality and multipurpose use, the golok is a symbol of Southeast Asian traditional martial arts in every sense.

Indian Swords

Khanda

The khanda is a double-edged sword with a straight blade that is broad in the middle. The khanda comes from India and is an integral set belonging to the ancient systems of India and is highly linked with the warrior concept of the Sikhs. Called the symbol of power the khanda is actively employed in Kalaripayattu and Gatka systems of martial arts where fighters work on the practical application and usage of the weapon in battle or during conflicts. The presence of the khanda in later historical periods and as a symbol thus explains why it remains an important asset in the annals of Indian martial arts traditions.

Talwar

The talwar sword is characterized by being curved and single-edged, originating from the Indian subcontinent and possessing a disc-shaped hilt. Its use has been attributed to its good design as a weapon, especially in cutting and slicing through opponents. It was often used in Indian warfare where due to the nature of the curved hilt; one could make effective and potent cuts. In the Indian martial art of Kalaripayattu, the talwar is used extensively for training and students learn different types of handling of this weapon, as in attacking as well as in defending itself. These blades may be unique, but such a practice sword like the talwar are so well crafted that serve the Indian martial arts for centuries.

European Swords

Rapier

The rapier is a lightweight, sharp-edged weapon with an extended blade and is related to the above-mentioned short swords for its slim, precise design. It is believed to have originated in Europe, where it was much used in dueling and fencing because it was a thrusting sword. Its wide, thin blade is suitable for fast and powerful cuts, underlining the importance of both intelligence and subtlety in combat. Rapier fighting within the scope of classical fencing and HEMA is still recognized by the few dedicated practitioners as combat that is swift and precise, calling for agility and quick reflexes. In light of its elegant, yet deadly design, the rapier is still a formidable weapon within the European Budo.

Saber

The curved and single-edged weapon known as the saber is one of the best swords in Europe. Historically, the saber was a weapon utilized by the cavalry for mounted combat; thus, the shape of its blade is best suited for cutting actions while riding, in particular, while the rider is spearing his enemy. It was used extensively for dueling particularly in the later centuries since it was perfect for such encounters due to the Coriolis point. Learning contemporary arts including Modern Fencing and Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA), more emphasis is placed on the ability of the user to deliver some slicing ability with a light swift touch and quick leg movements. The saber equipped the warrior with powerful mystique and agility as a tool that is still heavily valued in correcting contemporary fencing nowadays.

Conclusion

To sum up, martial arts swords which are also swords used in battle are more than just tools; they are ornaments that represent culture and mastery. From the katana of Japan to the saber of Europe, each weapon embodies the lessons and discipline of its Martial Art heritage. Practitioners undergo rigorous training to perfect these historical weapons to ensure the legacy of these true epitomes of art can be passed on to forthcoming generations. With the martial arts swords representing the great variety and the masterpieces of different epochs, we pay tribute to the warriors and the martial arts enthusiasts of the previous epochs.

[animehunch]

Highlighting The Best Aspects of Sword Fighting Anime

Sword-fighting anime has captured the hearts of many fans worldwide, and it’s no surprise why. The most recent example that comes to mind is Demon Slayer, which has become a trend across the globe.

The anime offers a unique and captivating experience that keeps enthusiasts coming back for more. However, this is not an aspect that is unique to just Demon Slayer, in fact, it defines the sword fighting anime genre in general.

Let’s delve into what makes sword fighting anime so irresistible.

1. Thrilling Swordsmanship

At the core of sword fighting anime lies the art of swordsmanship. Viewers are treated to intricate and skillfully choreographed battles where characters masterfully wield their swords. Remember the amazing fight Tanjiro and Uzui had against Gyuutaro, or maybe one of Ichigo’s iconic fights?

The fluidity and precision of these combat sequences are a visual delight. Whether it’s the clash of blades, the dazzling acrobatics, or the intense showdowns between rivals, sword fighting anime showcases the art of combat in a way that’s both thrilling and mesmerizing.

2. Epic and Diverse Characters

Sword fighting anime introduces us to a diverse cast of characters, each with their own unique backgrounds, motivations, and fighting styles.

Protagonists often face formidable foes, and their character development is a central element of the narrative. From honorable samurai and knights to roguish anti-heroes, viewers can find a character to resonate with, making the journey through the story all the more engaging.

3. Intriguing Storytelling

Beyond the battles, sword fighting anime weaves intricate and often epic narratives. These stories can be set in feudal Japan (Demon Slayer), medieval Europe (Arslan Senki), or even fantastical realms (Bleach and Utena).

The quest for justice, revenge, or personal growth is often at the forefront, creating emotional depth and resonating with the audience. The intricate world-building and plot twists keep viewers eagerly awaiting each new episode.

4. Swordplay Styles and Techniques

Sword-fighting anime often delves into the nuances of various swordplay styles and techniques. Enthusiasts of the genre appreciate the attention to detail in how characters wield their weapons.

Different styles, like the precise Iaido, the elegant fencing, or the raw power of two-handed greatswords, provide a fascinating exploration of the art of sword combat. A special mention to Katanagatari is due here.

5. Memorable Rivalries and Friendships

One of the most enduring aspects of sword fighting anime is the development of intense rivalries and deep friendships. The heated clashes between rivals like Kenshin and Saito in Rurouni Kenshin or Inuyasha and Sesshomaru in Inuyasha leave a lasting impact.

These conflicts often evolve into friendships or alliances, showcasing the dynamic and evolving relationships that underpin the genre.

6. Artistic Animation

The animation in sword-fighting anime is often top-notch. The combination of dynamic fight choreography and the attention to visual detail enhances the viewing experience.

The animation can make even the simplest duel a visually stunning spectacle, and the use of special effects adds an extra layer of excitement.

7. Emotional Depth

While sword fighting is a central theme, sword fighting anime doesn’t shy away from exploring deep and complex emotions. Characters grapple with personal demons, loss, and ethical dilemmas. These emotional arcs make the characters more relatable and the stories more profound.

8. Iconic Weapons and Armor

Sword fighting anime introduces audiences to an array of iconic weapons and armor. From legendary blades like the Zanpakuto in Bleach to unique armaments with mystical powers, these items become central to the plot and provide a sense of wonder and excitement.

In conclusion, sword fighting anime combines thrilling action, intricate character development, and engaging storytelling to create an experience that fans find irresistible.

The genre’s ability to showcase the art of swordsmanship, diverse characters, and emotional depth keeps viewers eagerly awaiting the next epic battle or dramatic plot twist.

Whether you’re a long-time fan or just beginning to explore the genre, sword fighting anime offers something truly special for all.

If you are someone who loves sword-fighting anime, check out the best sword fighting anime for you to watch here!!

[inun4ki]

Bold what skills/hobbies apply to your muse!

Means of transportation: skiing | sailing | boating | canoeing | horse riding | bicycling | car driving | truck driving | motorcycling | train riding | ATV riding | OTHER ( walking )

Hobbies: painting/drawing | wood carving | sculpting | pottery | photography | reading | writing | discussing | chess | playing board games | computer games | computer programming | playing cards | card tricks | magic tricks | cooking | baking | dancing | zoology | ornithology | OTHER ( watching horror/romance/thriller/drama movies, playing piano, tasting & reviewing boba, morning & evening walks, etc. )

Sports: swimming | running | tennis | basketball | baseball | rugby | football | cricket | archery | shooting | hunting | boxing | karate | judo | MMA | wrestling | yoga | rowing | weightlifting | gymnastics | OTHER ( parkour, kendo, kenjutsu, iaido, kickboxing )

Combat: handguns | knives | sniper rifles | assault rifles | grenades | grenade launchers | rocket launchers | tanks | bombs | bomb defusing | mines | minesweeping | hand-to-hand combat | OTHER ( mixed weapons training, katana, improvized weapons, cursed tools, cursed techniques )