Am I Dumb?

[AsbelLahnt]

I don't know if I just don't understand Katana's, but the Katana, sheathed at your side, seems backward.

If you look at it, the bend of the blade goes up, in a way that would make it really awkward to pull out. To me, the bend should be in the other direction so that you could quickly unsheathe it for the Samurai's quick attack.

Does that even make sense to any of you? Is that the "Samurai's way", because they swap the direction when in battle, or some shit like that?

[ChewieFlakes]

If a samurai was really unsheathing it they'd hang on to the scabbard. They'd do it regardless or else it'd tug on their clothes and wiggle around and just look awkward/impractical. So imagine them grabbing the sheathe, bending it slightly so it's fully vertical and then unsheathing it (with their knuckles facing behind them when grabbing the hilt). Then as they unsheathe it, it will be in a practical cutting motion with the sharp edge slicing upwards and then forward.

I sound like an edgelord typing this but that's how it's suppose to work I imagine.

[Kaedan]

The first one (you are unfamiliar with katanas).

Katanas are always positioned with the curve up, so that the blade edge does not rest on the interior of the scabbard. That would needlessly dull and damage the edge.

As for drawing the katana, there are multiple "correct" ways to do it. The scabbard is grasped and then twisted in the appropriate direction for the appropriate draw.

In the case of FF14 Samurai, they are using Iaijutsu master-type samurai. Meaning they strike in the same motion as they draw the blade. "One Draw, One Cut." For a rather romanticized example, you can watch Ruroni Kenshin, which is the image in which Yoshi-P based samurai off.

[Texa]

http://en.rocketnews24.com/2015/06/2...or-blade-down/ Here's a guide. They way a Samurai wears their sword changes depending on what they're wearing.

[Mysticdraggon]

there are usually three reasons

the first reason, as most swords are, is that the way a katana is attached to the waste is a rope. as it hangs, the bend is pointed upward.

the second is entirely for the blade's quality. if the blade rests on a scabbard or is drawn quickly as it grinds against the scabbards sides, the blade will dull very quickly.

another reason is that the position is completely necessary for specifically a one-sided blade. once unsheathed correctly, the blade is already pointed toward an enemy. of course this is only the case if the wielder wants to swing from head-to-toe. if the wielder wants to strike from toe-to-head, he/she would take a stance and position the scabbard up-right before striking straight from the blade's sheath.

[Kaedan]

http://en.rocketnews24.com/2015/06/2...or-blade-down/ Here's a guide. They way a Samurai wears their sword changes depending on what they're wearing.

That is, at once, somewhat correct, and somewhat incorrect.

A katana was never left hanging in the sheath with the edge down. As I mentioned, that would needlessly damage the edge.

The drawing, on the other hand, is mostly correct, but simplistic. Again, the scabbard was tied to the waist in such a way that you could easily rotate in it in the desired direction for the desired draw style.

And in the case of that article, the samurai in FF14 are considered to be the "kimono-wearing" samurai, not the heavily armored ones from the early to mid Edo period (regardless of the fact you can get "armor" looking equipment in game).

[Texa]

If people are too lazy to check the link

With armor and hanging from a cord, blade down. With normal clothing and put in the belt, blade up.

[Texa]

That is, at once, somewhat correct, and somewhat incorrect.

Where is the source for your information then?

[Kaedan]

If people are too lazy to check the link

With armor and hanging from a cord, blade down. With normal clothing and put in the belt, blade up.

Read my reply. That is incorrect.

No matter if it was Edo period, heavy armor samurai or later period kimono-wearing samurai, all samurai hung their swords with the blade up.

For drawing, they would twist the scabbard in the desired direction for the desired draw style.

[Kaedan]

Where is the source for your information then?

I live in Japan. I have extensively studied Japanese history with a BA (focus on Edo period). I have a 2nd degree black belt in Iaijutsu, and I own a 300 year old katana.

EDIT: Furthermore, the Japanese graphic that article is using is talking about drawing the blade, not how the blade hangs in the scabbard.