Funimation Logo Funimation Mobile Logo
Log In
  • What's New
    • New Releases
    • Schedule
    • Products
    • Events
  • Discover
    • Recommended
    • Trending
    • Guides
    • Moods
    • Games
    • Blog
    • Forum
    • DubbleTalk
  • Shows
    • All Shows
    • Genres
    • SimulDub™
    • Popular
  • Shop
    • Pre-orders
    • Home Video
    • Accessories
    • Figures & Collectibles
    • Apparel
    • Toys & Games
    • Sale
    • Log In

Historical Japanese Swords, as Seen in Rurouni Kenshin

July 23, 2016 by Funimation

*A guest editorial from our Funimation Brand Manager, Jennifu

Rurouni Kenshin Dojo Battle

 

From period samurai shows to magical combat fantasy, Japanese swords are hyper-prominent in anime, and the upcoming theatrical runs of the swordplay-packed Rurouni Kenshin live-action movies are a perfect excuse to talk about the coolness of Japanese swords!

 

Learn about the basics of Japanese swords and their historical basis as seen in the Rurouni Kenshin movies, based on the manga and anime of the same name, which take a fictional but decently researched and realistic* approach on the subject, for shounen manga.

 

(And if you’re really into sword combat, these movies have excellent action choreography from one of the biggest action directors in Asian martial arts cinema—get your advance tickets today and see it for yourself! The first movie, Rurouni Kenshin: Origins, hits theaters August 8, 9 and 10!)

 

Rurouni Kenshin Reverse Blade

The hero of Rurouni Kenshin, Kenshin Himura, wields a very iconic sword immediately familiar to anyone who’s read the original series. His sword is a sakabato, or a “reverse-blade”—meaning that the outer cutting edge is dull, and the inner edge is sharp, contrary to the normal construction of a Japanese sword.

(If you think about a “double-edged sword” being dangerous because there is also a cutting edge that faces you, a “reverse-blade” is even more dangerous and impractical because only the cutting edge faces you. This impracticality makes it a “pacifist sword” and also explains why Kenshin is such a badass, giving himself a huge handicap.)

 

Combat sakabato never existed (according to any known records), but actually at least one reverse-blade has been found in Japan, although it is a kogatana (small katana) rather than a full-length one.

 

 

 

As we know, Kenshin’s blade is a katana Japanese sword, but although people often use katana and “Japanese sword” interchangeably, they aren’t the same. The katana is actually a more modern style that was popularized around the 15th century.

 

Prior to the katana, longer, heavier, curved blades called tachi were the weapon of choice. As long-ranged, robust weapons, these were effective for fighting on horseback across open fields.

 

 

 

As cities became more prominent and horseback plains combat less relevant, the katana became more popular, as a lighter, shorter sword, worn cutting-edge up (as opposed to down on the tachi), meaning samurai could potentially slice an enemy upon drawing the sword, and generally wield with more agility.

 

Most importantly, katana could be used in fights in the cities, with narrow streets, or even indoors, where long tachi were at risk of getting caught in the low ceiling rafters.

 

 

 

In the Rurouni Kenshin series and movies, Sanosuke Sagara wields a huge, old and rusted zanbato, or horse-cutting sword. This type of sword is from that older era of horseback warfare.

 

Actually, a horse-cutting sword is not meant to be swung wildly with one arm—a wielder would hold the sword with both hands while perched on a horse, and taken down enemy riders. This just shows Sano’s monstrous strength and wild personality.

 

 

 

Another result of the development of the katana is the custom of samurai wearing two swords—a katana sword and a wakizashi, or a short sword. Katana were used more for combat and wakizashi for more personal use.

 

If a samurai was invited to a castle, for example, he was expected to leave his katana at the door, so as to not threaten the lord, but he could keep his wakizashi in self defense.

 

 

 

Aoshi Shinomori, who appears in the second Rurouni Kenshin movie and gets some cool action scenes in the third, wields double kodachi, which are somewhat shorter swords similar to wakizashi.

 

The reason he has to use short swords is that double-wielding long swords is impractical—there’s too much risk of cutting your own arms. (Sorry, Roronoa Zoro.)

 

 

Are you a big fan of Japanese swords? What types do like, and what are your favorite famous swords from anime, manga, or Japanese movies? Let us know in the comments!

Be sure to buy your advance tickets to Rurouni Kenshin: Origins today—this limited theatrical run is only in theaters for 3 days! http://www.funimationfilms.com/movie/rurouni-kenshin/

*except, sadly, there are no historical Japanese swords that spurt flames when you swing them 🙁
 

Filed Under: Editorial, Fun Stuff, Theatrical Screening Tagged With: Editorial, martial arts, Rurouni Kenshin, Swords

Comments

  1. Dragon0 says:
    July 23, 2016 at 5:25 pm

    I can’t wait to get my hands on these movies.

  2. BellaYaoiKitsune says:
    July 27, 2016 at 8:24 am

    Got my tix for Origins and I can’t wait to see it! Having missed out on the anime [big fat WAAAAA!!! 🙁 ] ), there was no way I was missing this!

    As for favorite swords, I’m partial to the katana, having owning one myself (yes, I’ll share pics when I get a chance *grin*). It was given to me a long time ago by a friend when we were both taking karate lessons. Being a fan of Kurosawa’s Samurai films I would always look forward to the wonderfully choreographed fighting sequences.

Recent Posts

  • Ai Tenchi Muyo! – English Cast Announcement
  • July 2018 Home Video Releases
  • Conventions 2018 – C2E2
  • Conventions 2018 — Anime Detour
  • Conventions 2018 – Anime Boston

Categories

  • All Posts
  • All-AccessPass
  • Anime 101
  • Anime on TV
  • Announcement
  • Apps
  • Behind The Scenes
  • Broadcast Dub announcement
  • contest
  • conventions
  • Cross-Promotion
  • Dubbletalk
  • Editorial
  • English Cast
  • English Dub Premiere
  • EST
  • Feature
  • Film Festival
  • Fun Stuff
  • FUNimation Broadcast Dub
  • Funimation Films
  • Funimation SimulDub™
  • FUNimation.com Subscription
  • FunimationNow
  • Giant Ape
  • Group1200 Products
  • Home Video
  • Immerz
  • Industry News
  • Listicle
  • Merchandise
  • New Release Tuesday
  • New Releases
  • Newsletter
  • Press Release
  • Sale
  • Shop
  • Simulcasts
  • The FUNimation Show
  • Theatrical Screening
  • Uncategorized

Archives

  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • August 2011
  • July 2011
  • June 2011
  • May 2011
  • April 2011
  • March 2011
  • February 2011
  • January 2011
  • December 2010
  • November 2010
  • September 2010
  • August 2010
  • July 2010
  • June 2010
  • May 2010
  • February 2010
  • January 2010
  • August 2009
  • July 2009
  • June 2009
  • May 2009
  • February 2009

Tags

2014 Anime Attack on Titan Blu-ray Broadcast Dub Conventions 2015 Conventions 2016 Conventions 2017 Cowboy Bebop Dragon Ball Z English Cast english cast announcement Fairy Tail Free! -Eternal Summer- FUNimation Broadcast Dub FunimationNow Japan My Hero Academia one piece wolf children
  • About Funimation
  • Customer Support
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy

©2017-18 Funimation Productions, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

This website uses cookies.

We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners. See details.I accept