Quote:
Originally Posted by AoshiShinomori
*sigh* I don't have a katana but I really want one! *Hopes OL-chan will get him one  *
So continuing with education on swords, here is a special type of katana:
Shikomizue
The Shikomizue (transalates to Japanese prepared cane) is a Japanese concealed sword disguised as a cane or walking stick (  Watch out for them grandad's ). It was sometimes used by government officials in Japan in the Meiji period.
The name Shikomi-zue is actually the name of a type of mounting though. The sword blade was placed in a cane-like mounting (tsue), to conceal the fact that it was a sword. This mounting was used almost exclusively during the Meiji period, when the carrying of swords was banned. The blades used in these mountings were usually of poor quality.
This type of arrangement was most often used by period samurai who opposed the ban on openly carrying their swords but knew that open violation of the law often led to imprisonment and death.
Here are some pics!
Notice how the blade is straight and not curved...
And another one in beige
Shikomizue has appeared many times in Manga and anime. It has appeared a few times in the anime and manga series Rurouni Kenshin. It has also the weapon used by the fictional character Zatoichi, a blind bonesetter who is also an extremely talented warrior.
In another anime series, Bleach, Kisuke Urahara's zanpakutou is a shikomizue, when sealed. A similar sword is also used by Ukyo Tachibana from the video game series Samurai Shodown and Hibiki Takane from the The Last Blade. |
*giggles*
i won't one too i can buy you one and than you can buy me one back *smiles
deal?^^