Choosing the blade length for a long sword (katana)?

[legaiaflame]

This might be another awkward question, but I just have to ask it. How do you go about choosing the right length blade for your sword?

 

I know that someone will say that someone of a larger staure may choose a shorter blade and vice-versa and it may also depend on the person's style of swordsmanship.

 

The only method that I'm aware of, is this method: http://swordforum.com/swords/nihonto/choosinglength.html

 

And just for fun I stand 6' feet tall and it seems the right sword blade length is somewhere around 31" inches?

 

I know that I could always get a sword a few inches longer or shorter, but how did the samurai determine the length of their sword?

 

Justin P.

[bluboxer]

Hello Justin,that is how I sized my newly made sword at approximately 3/4 to 1 in. off the floor.That doesn't matter tho for art collecting.Also stands to reason why extant katana and the use thereof were not sized for 6 footers.IMHO.

 

Alan

[Ford Hallam]

Hello Justin,

 

If you are studying any of the Japanese sword arts then I'd suggest you would do best to ask your teacher. The school you are studying may actually have specific requirements. You could also do a search on e-budo.com. I know that this subject has been discussed at length ( pun intended ) there.

 

As has been mentioned, the focus here is more on the sword as art, as such the length is not really a practical consideration, unless you live in a very narrow room :D

 

I hope you find the answer you are looking for.

 

regards, Ford

[Guest reinhard]

but how did the samurai determine the length of their sword?

 

Probably on purpose first. A fully armoured samurai on horseback needed another kind of sword than a bodyguard, wearing a kimono and moving indoors most of the time.

 

reinhard