Quote Originally Posted by TheDustyOne View Post
In the context of how it works in 14, no it makes no sense. I've already got the weapon out, I'm fighting against my opponent, in what way is putting the weapon away to quick-draw it again a good idea? That just leaves me open for an attack. An actual quick-draw would be in anticipation of a fight, not something you do in the middle of a fight. But my point is the realism doesn't matter because it looks cool. Flourishes only help to make it look cooler.
I don't really think you understand much about where Samurai's attacks come from.
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Iaijutsu (居合術) is a combative quick-draw sword technique.[1] This art of drawing the Japanese sword, katana, is one of the Japanese koryū martial art disciplines in the education of the classical warrior (bushi).
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Iaijutsu literally is the art of quick drawing your sword. In real life if you practice Iaido (居合道) or Kenjutsu（剣術） that involves Iaijutsu（居合術）, then you will sheathe your sword in order to perform the technique.

It's not necessarily about it being a "really strong technique" or "looking cool" this is an entire style of how swords are used.

Then to go into thrusts, many Kata in Kenjutsu and Iaido use thrusts, Hissatsu means certain kill. In the days where swords were used by armies a lot, thrusts were the common method of attack to kill an enemy because a slash will typically not pierce armor. That being said the sword was not used as often as many more armies favored spears and bows. Spears were better for penetrating armor and had a better range than a sword.

So in terms of translations here to make it even easier to understand :

Iaijutsu - 居合（iai) means the　art of drawing one's sword, cutting down one's opponent and sheathing the sword afterwards.
　（術） means art or technique. Literally the translation is the art or technique of cutting an opponent down and then sheathing your blade. Jutsu can also mean magic in a different context.

Kenjutsu - 剣 (Ken) means sword,
　　　　　　　　術 (Jutsu) again means technique or art. Jutsu can also mean magic in a different context.

必殺技(hissatsu)
Noun
killer technique; surefire assassination method​
special or lethal move

Those "flourishes" are actually standard parts of Iaido kata today. Iaido is the modern form of Iaijutsu. You should look up Iaido demonstrations and you'll see the "flourishes" as you call them are often just creative ways to clean blood off your sword or a way to sheathe your sword.

So yeah I guess you could say it doesn't make sense but it just seems like you don't really know much about Japanese culture. The current samurai is half based on the "fantastical samurai" and the post Edo period style Samurai. But the attacks are very grounded in real life techniques for the most part.