Shinogi Zukuri vs. Shobu Zukuri

[Paulo K. Ogino]

Hi everybody!!! Just wanted to know if any has had any experience with a shobu zukuri katana and if has compared it with the most frecuent (I guess it is) shinogi zukuri... Is there any technical difference?, just shape?, how about history? web resources? any info, comments, and feedback will be highly appreciated. Thankz!!!!! :smilejapa

[DCPan]

Hello,

Check out

http://sword.ne.jp/learn/sword/form1.html

http://pub59.ezboard.com/flivebladeweaponsoftheagesfrm9.showMessage?topicID=2.topic

[Chidokan]

The reason why you find iaito with Shinogi-zukuri rather than say, Osoraku-zukuri (the extremely long one), is that it is easier to draw. This also goes for the curvature. A flatter sori is also easier to use from the obi than a strongly curved one as well. If you can try out a strong Torii-zori shaped blade you will notice that it is easier to draw if the sword is upside down, i.e. hanging from the original tachi style mounts.
No doubt our resident sword maker can go into great detail about why you need different kissaki shapes, but basically a short one is for anti-armour and a long one against flesh only.

Tim Hamilton