{"id":1644,"date":"2020-09-07T23:44:27","date_gmt":"2020-09-07T21:44:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/katorishintoryu.pl\/?p=1644"},"modified":"2023-11-28T20:12:09","modified_gmt":"2023-11-28T19:12:09","slug":"art-of-fighting-with-two-swords","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/katorishintoryu.pl\/en\/artykuly\/sztuka-walki-dwoma-mieczami\/","title":{"rendered":"The art of fighting with two swords"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Every person interested in melee weapons sooner or later asks themselves the question - what if, instead of one sword, I used two at the same time? There are plenty of examples in today's films and literature, and the fictional swordsman is presented as extremely deadly and effective. This motif is also present in many RPG games, both "paper" (e.g. Dungeons & Dragons) and computer (The Elder Scrolls series, Star Wars - Knights Of The Old Republic), where the character controlled by the player can thanks to it double damage, or attack twice as fast.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Two-sword fighting, taught as part of real martial arts, is documented historically - but it never achieved as much popularity as it might seem today. Contrary to popular culture belief, it does not automatically make a swordsman "twice as strong". Two-sword techniques were also not used on the battlefield - there the greatest role was played by a long pole weapon, or a sword and a shield that could protect against arrows. However, in certain specific situations (duels, street fights) they gave the swordsman an advantage on which his life could depend.<\/span><\/p>

Although historical sources mention fighting with two long swords, these were exceptions to the rule. This setup is just too awkward to use, both blades got in the way of each other. Therefore, two short weapons were more often used, or a longer sword in the dominant hand and an auxiliary weapon in the other. This role could be played by a dagger or a second, shorter sword. This latter combination, in particular, became extremely popular over time in medieval Japan.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Two sword fighting training<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Daish\u014d<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Over the centuries, samurai have used several types of bladed weapons, which can be roughly divided into long - <\/span>\u00a0<\/b>Daito<\/i><\/b> and short \u2013 <\/span>shoto<\/i><\/b>. When worn in pairs, such a set is called <\/span>daish\u014d<\/i><\/b> \u2013 which can literally be translated as \u201cbig and small.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Originally, people took a sword with them into battle <\/span>tachi <\/i><\/b>and a knife <\/span>Tanto <\/i><\/b>tucked into his belt. During the Muromachi period (<\/span>1336 \u2013 1573) the knife was gradually replaced by a short sword \u2013 <\/span>wakizashi <\/i><\/b>or otherwise <\/span>kodachi<\/i><\/b> (lit. \u201csmall <\/span>"tachi"<\/span><\/i>). Then, during the Azuchi-Momoyma period (1568-1603) as well <\/span>tachi <\/span><\/i>fell out of use in favor of a slightly shorter and less curved one <\/span>katanas<\/i><\/b>, which took over the function of a long sword.<\/span><\/p>

It's not entirely clear why <\/span>kodachi <\/span><\/i>replaced <\/span>Tanto <\/span><\/i>as a secondary weapon. It can be assumed that a short sword worked better as a weapon inside buildings than a knife. It is customary for a samurai to come for an audience with his lord or shogun<\/i> he left <\/span>katana <\/span><\/i>on a stand near the entrance, and continued his visit armed only with <\/span>kodachi<\/span><\/i>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

As a result of progressive changes in weaponry, the custom of wearing two swords became popular among samurai, and in the Edo period (from 1603) it became a symbol of their status. An edict of the Tokugawa shogunate of 1629 ordered that samurai carry with them when performing their "official" duties <\/span>daish\u014d<\/span><\/i>. Wealthier warriors increasingly ordered both swords from the same blacksmith, with matching binding details.<\/span><\/p>

Same as in the single case <\/span>katanas<\/span><\/i>, <\/span>daish\u014d <\/span><\/i>it is worn on the left side, with both blades facing upwards. The swords are tucked into the belt <\/span>obi<\/span><\/i> or by the binding straps hakama <\/i>on the hips, usually <\/span>kodachi<\/span><\/i> is inserted lower and closer to the abdomen than <\/span>katana<\/span><\/i>. When drawing both swords, the warrior draws first <\/span>katana<\/span><\/i>, Later <\/span>kodachi<\/span><\/i>, when hiding, the order is reverse.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Ikeda Nagaoka with two swords<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Niten Ichi Ry\u016b - Musashi Miyamoto's school<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The foundation of Japanese schools <\/span>kory\u016b <\/span><\/i>was <\/span>kenjutsu<\/a><\/span><\/i>. However, since a samurai had access to two swords, it was natural that at least some schools taught the difficult art of using them simultaneously - known as <\/span>nitoken<\/i><\/b> or <\/span>nito<\/i><\/b>.<\/span><\/i><\/p>

Definitely the most famous of the schools<\/span> related to two swords is <\/span>Niten Ichi Ry\u016b. <\/span>It was founded in the early Edo period (probably between 1604 and 1640) by Miyamoto <\/span>Musashi<\/span>, one of the most famous Japanese swordsmen. Like most samurai schools, it teaches fighting with various weapons (e.g. a stick <\/span>because<\/span><\/i>), but places the greatest emphasis on <\/span>kenjutsu<\/a> <\/span><\/i>and, of course <\/span>nitoken<\/span><\/i>. This is manifested in the name itself, which can be translated as "school of two heavens as one". Musashi included the techniques and philosophy of his style in "The Book of Five Rings" (<\/span>Go Rin no Sho<\/span><\/i>), which he wrote towards the end of his life. Niten Ichi Ryu has survived to this day and is taught all over the world. It is also one of the main sources of two sword techniques today <\/span>kendo<\/span><\/i>.<\/span><\/p>

In materials and discussions devoted to two-sword fighting, Niten Ichi Ry\u016b basically always appears in the first place - yet this school is neither the only one nor the first one that has in its program <\/span>nito<\/span><\/i>. Musashi based his style on the earlier achievements of his grandfather (Miyamoto Musashi no kami Yoshimoto, creator of Enmei Ry\u016b) and father (Miyamoto Munisai, founder of Tori Ry\u016b). Of course, not only schools associated with the Musashi family teach <\/span>nito<\/span><\/i> \u2013 those that have survived to this day include Yagyu Shinkage Ry\u016b, Shingyoto Ry\u016b and Tatsumi Ry\u016b. Tendo Ryu is also interesting - today known primarily for its techniques <\/span>naginata<\/span><\/i>, also has two fights on the program <\/span>kodachi<\/span><\/i>, slightly different in length.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

The two-sword technique is also one of the oldest preserved <\/span>kory\u016b <\/span><\/i>\u2013 Tenshin Sh\u014dden Katori Shint\u014d-ry\u016b.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Miyamoto Musashi<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Ry\u014dt\u014djutsu - two swords in Katori Shint\u014d-ry\u016b<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Two-sword fighting in Katori Shint<\/span>\u014d-r<\/span>y\u016b goes by the name <\/span>ry\u014dt\u014djutsu<\/b> \u2013 where ryoto literally means \u201cboth swords\u201d. In contrast to kenjutsu<\/a> Whether b\u014djutsu<\/a>, ry\u014dt\u014djutsu belongs to <\/span>ura-vase<\/i> \u2013 secret techniques that are passed on only to students who have obtained master degrees after many years of practice in using the sword and other weapons at the level <\/span>omote<\/i>.<\/span><\/p>

IN school program<\/a> there are four <\/span>kata <\/span><\/i>(movement sequences) dedicated to ry\u014dt\u014d. Their names with translations and the names of the first ones are listed below kamae <\/i>(position, guard):<\/span><\/p>

\u00a0 \u2013 eigetsu no tachi<\/span><\/i><\/p>

(<\/span>ni\u014d no kurai<\/span><\/i>)<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\u3010\u6c38\u6708\u4e4b\u592a\u5200\u3011<\/span><\/p>

\uff08\u4e8c\u738b\u4e4b\u4f4d\uff09<\/span><\/p><\/td>

Eternal Moon Sword<\/span><\/p>

(two kings position)<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

\u00a0 \u2013 <\/span>suigetsu no tachi<\/span><\/i><\/p>

(<\/span>tenchi no kurai<\/span><\/i>)<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\u3010\u6c34\u6708\u4e4b\u592a\u5200\u3011<\/span><\/p>

\uff08\u5929\u5730\u4e4b\u4f4d\uff09<\/span><\/p><\/td>

sword of the moon reflected in the water<\/span><\/p>

(position of heaven and earth\/<\/span><\/p>

position of the entire universe)<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

\u2013 <\/span>isonami no tachi<\/span><\/i><\/p>

(<\/span>f\u016bha no kurai<\/span><\/i>)<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\u3010\u78ef\u6d6a\u4e4b\u592a\u5200\u3011<\/span><\/p>

\uff08\u98a8\u8449\u4e4b\u4f4d\uff09<\/span><\/p><\/td>

coastal wave sword\/<\/span><\/p>

sword of a wave hitting the shore<\/span><\/p>

(position of leaves in the wind)<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

\u2013 <\/span>murakumo no tachi<\/span><\/i><\/p>

(<\/span>sasu no kurai<\/span><\/i>)<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\u3010\u6751\u96f2\u4e4b\u592a\u5200\u3011<\/span><\/p>

\uff08\u4f50\u5bff\u4e4b\u4f4d\uff09<\/span><\/p><\/td>

sword of clouds above the village\/<\/span><\/p>

cloud village sword<\/span><\/p>

(life-saving position)<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>

Kata <\/span><\/i>are practiced in pairs, with the less advanced partner (<\/span>kirikomi<\/span><\/i>) uses two swords - together with the standard one <\/span>bokken <\/span><\/i>wooden one is used <\/span>kodachi <\/span><\/i>with length 1 <\/span>Shaku <\/span><\/i>8 <\/span>sun<\/span><\/i>, i.e. about 55cm. More advanced partner (<\/span>uke) <\/span><\/i>uses one sword \/ bokken<\/i>.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Sensei Yoshio Sugino with his student<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Advantages and disadvantages of ry\u014dt\u014d<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The biggest advantage of using two swords is greater flexibility. Depending on the situation, both weapons can be used for attack or defense. When one sword controls the opponent's weapon, the other can attack unhindered. You can also parry by crossing both blades, and if positioned correctly, it is possible to jam your opponent's sword, completely immobilizing him. Using a short sword forces you to shorten the distance while applying more pressure.<\/span><\/p>

However, the advantages do not come for free. You can't count on using two swords efficiently without first mastering them <\/span>kenjutsu<\/a> <\/span><\/i>\u2013 technical issues and shortcomings will only become more apparent when moving to <\/span>ry\u014dto.<\/span><\/i> Making a good cut with one hand is more difficult and will not be as strong. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/i>Both hands must perform other activities at the same time - so it is necessary to practice good coordination. Without it, the swords will hinder each other instead of complementing each other.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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TSKSR Winter Camp in Stara Wie\u015b<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Ka\u017cda osoba interesuj\u0105ca si\u0119 broni\u0105 bia\u0142\u0105 pr\u0119dzej czy p\u00f3\u017aniej zadaje sobie pytanie – a co gdyby zamiast jednego miecza, u\u017cywa\u0107 dw\u00f3ch jednocze\u015bnie? W dzisiejszych filmach czy literaturze nietrudno o przyk\u0142ady, a fikcyjny szermierz przedstawiony jest w\u00f3wczas jako niezwykle zab\u00f3jczy i skuteczny. Motyw ten jest tak\u017ce obecny w wielu grach RPG, zar\u00f3wno \u201cpapierowych\u201d (np. Dungeons & […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":1661,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"default","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}}},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1644","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-artykuly"],"acf":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-05-05 15:18:18","action":"category","newStatus":"draft","terms":[101],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/katorishintoryu.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1644","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/katorishintoryu.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/katorishintoryu.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/katorishintoryu.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/katorishintoryu.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1644"}],"version-history":[{"count":56,"href":"https:\/\/katorishintoryu.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1644\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13031,"href":"https:\/\/katorishintoryu.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1644\/revisions\/13031"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/katorishintoryu.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1661"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/katorishintoryu.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1644"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/katorishintoryu.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1644"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/katorishintoryu.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1644"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}