Equipment of the Samurai

Tachi

The katana evolved as a more sleek and compact alternative to the tachi. Its origins go at least as far back as the Kamakura Period, with several blades dated from that time residing in various national repositories.

Its growth in popularity is believed to have been due to the changing nature of close-combat warfare. The quicker draw of the sword was well suited to combat where victory depended heavily on fast response times.
The katana further facilitated this by being worn thrust through a belt-like sash (obi) with the bladed edge facing upwards. Ideally, samurai could draw the sword and strike down the enemy in a single motion. Previously, the curved tachi had been worn with the edge of the blade facing down and suspended from a belt.


The length of the blade varied considerably during the course of its history. In the late 14th and early 15th centuries, katana blades tended to be between 70 to 73 cm (27.6 to 28.7 in) in length. While during the early 16th century, the average length was closer to 60 cm (23.6 in). By the late 16th century, the average length returned to approximately 73 cm (28.7 in).

example of a katana

Wakizashi

The katana was often paired with a similar smaller companion sword, such as a wakizashi or it could also be worn with the tantō, an even smaller similarly shaped sword. The pairing of a katana with a smaller sword is called the daishō. The daisho could only be worn by samurai and it represented the social power and personal honor of the samurai.

The Legend of Samurai

Samurai (侍) is the term for the military nobility of pre-industrial Japan. Samurai warriors described themselves as followers of "The Way of the Warrior" or Bushido. Bushidō is defined by the Japanese dictionary Shogakukan Kokugo Daijiten as "a unique philosophy (ronri) that spread through the warrior class from the Muromachi (chusei) period. From the earliest times, the Samurai felt that the path of the warrior was one of honor, emphasizing duty to one's master, and loyalty unto death.
Emperor Meiji abolished the samurai's right to be the only armed force in favor of a more modern, western-style, conscripted army in 1873. Samurai became Shizoku (士族) who retained some of their salaries, but the right to wear a katana in public was eventually abolished along with the right to execute commoners who paid them disrespect.

The samurai finally came to an end after hundreds of years of enjoyment of their status, their powers, and their ability to shape the government of Japan. However, the rule of the state by the military class was not yet over.

The Way of Karate

“There is no first attack in karate.” This phrase embodies the essential spirit of Okinawan karate. Although karate is a martial art, it must be a defensive art from beginning to end. The essence of karate-do (the way of karate), lies in the defensive function of karate. Students of any martial arts, including karate-do must not forget the cultivation of mind as well as body. In karate-do one's individual goal might be improvement of his health or training of his body to function efficiently. He might wish to develop a strength of his arms or legs or body, or to attain poise and fortitude. Some might wish to learn karate to cultivate humility. All such goals have to do with self-development.

The dreadful offensive and defensive power of karate is well known. Karate is an art, with which one can defeat opponents with a single fist attack, or kick, without weapons. The value of the art depends on one, applying it. If its application is for good purpose, the art is of great value. But if it is misused, there is no more evil or harmful art than karate. The unarmed combat, improperly used, is certainly dangerous and vicious. But, if properly applied, it can produce results of great value.. The correct understanding of karate and its proper use is “karate-do”.

On the contrary, if one misuses the techniques of karate, he nullifies its benefits and merits. Such misuse, arising from superficial understanding, is in fact self-defeating.

Those who follow the way of karate must consider courtesy of prime importance. Without courtesy, the essence of karate-do is lost. No one is qualified to be a karateman without courtesy, even if he excels others in his technique. This is the very reason why karate practice begins and ends with a bow. The bow represents one's recognition of the meaning of courtesy. Courtesy must be practiced, not only during training periods but in all times of one's daily life.

Sports Kumite

The sports kumite, unlike the traditional one, is based on dynamic techniques. shots can be taken as "jumping" to the opponent and do not need to be with both feet attached to Tatami. Is also important to turn around the opponent and not be in line with it, something that happens in traditional kumite.
This is an encounter between two great champions, Davide Benetello and Christophe Pinna.

Comparison of Martial Arts

This is a very interesting video from a kung fu practitioner and a practitioner of taekwondo. it is a struggle between two different styles, and here, the difference is the ability of the two fighters. enjoy! =)

Traditional Kumite

Kumite (組手) means sparring, and is one of the three main sections of karate training, along with kata and kihon. Kumite is the part of karate in which you train against an adversary, using the techniques learned from the kihon and kata.
Traditional kumite concerns the ability to hit your opponent with your feet remain on the ground so as to make the blow more powerful and stable. The technique is very important and a well-aimed blow could send KO opponent.
The video below is taken from a competition of traditional kumite JKA federation. 
(sorry for the poor quality of the video)

Different styles, different kata

Below you will see different kata, that are forms of combat.

The first video is about the individual kata WKF World Champion Luca Valdesi with his kata Gankaku from Shotokan Style.

Forse cercavi: quì di seguito potete vedere differenti kata, cioè forme di combattimento. il primo video riguarda il campione mondiale di kata individuale WKF

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Traduzione da italiano verso inglese

The following is a sample of old karate style Goju Ryu. here's to you ABE with his kata  Suparimpei.

 

 

As a final example, a kata performed by the athlete of the Italian National Karate, Shito Ryu style. His name is Luke Brancaleon and for many will be the worthy heir of Luke Waldenses. The kata name is Paiku