Long Tsuka?

[Hitokiri_Gensai]

i was wondering what peoples view on using a katana with a long tsuka is. i personally find that i like using a tsuka thats long than a standard tsuka length. the usual length is supposed to be two hand lengths and two fingers. I personally use a katana that has a 15 inch tsuka. I find that it bring the balance of the katana back towards the tsuba making it much more balanced. I also find that if need be, you can stop the sword much faster because you can press the lengthend tsuka against your forearm to stop a cut faster.

 

[Ferrous Wheel]

when I started with the sword arts, especially long blades in W MA (4-6 foot OAL), I also preferred the longer haft. As I progressed, I found my hands coming closer together, nearer the hilt (tsuba), and i was using my body positioning and hips to move the big blades around,moreso than using the arms or shoulders (they became the 'steering,' the body the force generator)

Big tsukas look cool, but I think they get in the way in a melee press, like over-large quillons.

Also, the tsuka can change the balance point, as you note. I prefer a bit more tip-heaviness, witht the PoB further forward. Too neutral a balance makes it a chore to deliver a forceful cut, but it could aid in thrust-target acquisition.

Keith

 

[Hitokiri_Gensai]

well as ive found having a longer tsuka wont bring it to nuetral weight distrabution. but perhaps i should be a bit more precise in saying a longer tsuka in iaijutsu or iaido.

 

[Robert.B]

for Nami Ryu I think the long tsuka comes into play ALOT. James Williams dojo (www.dojoofthefourwinds.com) uses the longer tsuka as it appears they were favoured among the samurai class, and IMO makes it better for cutting use.

Goto the bugei forum (www.swordforumbugei.com) and you'll get alot of interesting answers from those guys.

 

[Hitokiri_Gensai]

been there a few times...thats where i bought my katana. like the place and i respect James for the work that hes done in the clasical bugei field of martial studies.