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#redirect [[Ōdachi]] |
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A {{Nihongo|'''nodachi'''|野太刀:のだち}} is a large two-handed [[Japanese sword]]. Nodachi approximately translates to "field sword". However, some have suggested that the meaning of "nodachi" is roughly the same as ''[[odachi|ōdachi]]'' meaning "large/great sword".{{Fact|date=February 2007}} A confusion between the terms has nearly synonymized "nodachi" with the very large "''ōdachi''". Thus, while the original use of the term may have been to refer to any type of long battlefield sword (''[[daito (weapon)|daitō]]''), including the ''[[tachi]]'', it is frequently misapplied to any type of oversized Japanese sword. |
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[[Image:Nodachi.jpg|thumb]] |
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==History and Use== |
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<!-- Image with unknown copyright status removed: [[Image:Samurai big Sword 1890 pg124.jpg|thumb|The sword on the right.]] -->Nodachi have the same general appearance and design of a ''tachi'' though they are significantly longer. The nodachi was carried by foot soldiers and was designed as a weapon for war versus [[cavalry]] and open field engagements. Nodachi were generally used on open battlefields as their length made their use indoors or close quarters difficult. They were an effective weapon against cavalry, though they were not commonly used. Foot soldiers would carry the sword with the flat edge against the shoulder and the fuchi, or butt of the tsuka, in the palms of the hands and the blade facing out toward the enemy. |
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The sword would often be thrown down or at the enemy.<ref>[http://www.paralumun.com/swnod.htm Nodachi Sword<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Nodachi were infrequently used for several reasons: |
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*The blade was more difficult to forge compared to a normal-sized sword |
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*The nodachi required greater strength to properly wield |
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*Weapons such as the ''[[naginata]]'' or ''[[nagamaki]]'' were arguably more effective for the same role on the battlefield. |
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*The Nodachi is not a cutting sword, per se, but used to basically fold the opponent under the rapidly moving weight. |
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During times of peace, the sword was worn slung across the back as a symbol of status.{{Fact|date=February 2007}} This is distinctive because most Japanese swords such as the [[katana]], ''[[wakizashi]]'', and ''tachi'' were worn at the waist or belt; however, it was not "drawn" from the back. The nodachi was more difficult to wield due to its size and weight, but -- like any weapon -- could be extremely deadly if the warrior wielding it was skilled. The length of the nodachi's hilt varied between twelve to thirteen inches (30 to 33 centimeters). Its cutting capability and range exceeded that of a katana, due to its weight and size. |
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In some [[Chinese martial arts]], [[Bagua zhang|Bagua Zhang]] being perhaps the best known example, over-sized weapons are used for training purposes. This is done to condition the martial artist to handle a normal-sized weapon more efficiently (e.g. in [[Japanese martial arts]] with the ''[[suburito|suburitō]]'', a heavy wooden sword). |
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The [[Kage-ryū]] is one of the very rare schools of [[Japanese martial arts]] remaining that trains in the use of the Japanese long-sword (which they call ''choken''). |
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This sword was also used by [[Sasaki Kojiro]], a very skilled warrior and deadly with the nodachi. He is somewhat famous for losing to [[Musashi Miyamoto]] (who many say was the greatest swordsman that ever lived). It is also shown in the Samurai Warriors game (Sengoku Musou)when Ranmaru Mori uses it. |
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==References== |
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{{reflist}} |
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==See also== |
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*[[Daikatana (sword)|Daikatana]] |
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*[[Odachi|Ōdachi]] |
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*[[Zweihander]] |
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==External links== |
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* [http://www.hyoho.com/Nkage1.html Choken Battojutsu Kageryu – Longswords of Yanagawa-han] |
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{{Japanese swords}} |
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[[Category:Japanese swords]] |
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[[Category:Japanese martial arts terms]] |
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[[Category:East Asian swords]] |
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[[cs:Nodači]] |
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[[es:Nodachi]] |
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[[fr:Nodachi]] |
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[[ja:野太刀]] |
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[[it:Nodachi]] |
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[[pl:No-dachi]] |
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[[ru:Нодати]] |
Latest revision as of 23:37, 6 September 2013
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