Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Odachi or Nodachi
Kanehira tachi (Bizen Kanehira)
Heian period,12th century.
Odachi or NodachiThe katana of 90cm and more is called Odachi or Nodachi. The katana called Okanehira is famous. It seems that Odachi or Nodachi had already been made in the Heian Period latter term. It can't think that this long katana is carried every day. And, it is not the tachi which can be handled with one hand. But, the power may have been shown in the battlefield. A nodachi was made to use in the battlefield. It is favorable when a soldier fights against many enemies in the battlefield. Tokugawa shogunate prohibited a samurai's having a nodachi. A nodachi is favorable by the actual fighting.
