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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Ferrous" data-source="post: 5993332" data-attributes="member: 61796">I agree they have probably missed out the using Bastard swords and Katana one handed . This could be because it takes a feat or equivalent to use them one handed?Some samurai did wield a Katana one handed with a Wakizashi. Indeed perhaps the most famous samurai of all time did this. From wikipedia;Musashi created and perfected a two-sword <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenjutsu" target="_blank">kenjutsu</a> technique called niten'ichi (二天一, "two heavens as one") or nitōichi (二刀一, "two swords as one") or "Ni-Ten Ichi Ryu" (A Kongen Buddhist Sutra refers to the two heavens as the two guardians of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gautama_Buddha" target="_blank">Buddha</a>). In this technique, the swordsman uses both a large sword, and a "companion sword" at the same time, such as a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katana" target="_blank">katana</a> with a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wakizashi" target="_blank">wakizashi</a>. Although he had mastership in this style of two swords, he most commonly used a katana in duels. The two-handed movements of temple drummers may have inspired him,  although it could be that the technique was forged through Musashi's  combat experience. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jutte" target="_blank">Jutte</a>  techniques were taught to him by his father — the jutte was often used  in battle paired with a sword; the jutte would parry and neutralize the  weapon of the enemy while the sword struck or the practitioner grappled  with the enemy. In his time a long sword in the left hand was referred  to as gyaku nito. Today Musashi's style of swordsmanship is known as Hyōhō Niten Ichi-ryū.[<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" target="_blank">citation needed</a>] Musashi was also an expert in throwing weapons. He frequently threw his short sword, and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenji_Tokitsu" target="_blank">Kenji Tokitsu</a> believes that shuriken methods for the wakizashi were the Niten Ichi Ryu's secret techniques <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miyamoto_Musashi#cite_note-12" target="_blank">[13]</a>. Musashi spent many years studying Buddhism and swordsmanship. He was  an accomplished artist, sculptor, and calligrapher. Records also show  that he had architectural skills. Also, he seems to have had a rather  straightforward approach to combat, with no additional frills or  aesthetic considerations. This was probably due to his real-life combat  experience; although in his later life, Musashi followed the more  artistic side of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bushid%C5%8D" target="_blank">bushidō</a>. He made various <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zen" target="_blank">Zen</a> brush paintings, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calligraphy" target="_blank">calligraphy</a>, and sculpted wood and metal. Even in The Book of Five Rings  he emphasizes that samurai should understand other professions as well.  It should be understood that Musashi's writings were very ambiguous,  and translating them into English makes them even more so; that is why  so many different translations of the Go Rin No Sho can be found. To gain further insight into Musashi's principles and personality, one could read his other works, such as Dokkodo and Hyoho Shiji ni KajoNote I am no Katana fan boy, and indeed don't really think that it should be included in a mostly western list of weapons or diferentiated from a Bastard Sword. They have called this type of weapon a Falchion before in D&D (even though this a one handed axe like sword) and this is at least more in keeping.As a quick aside from other reading I thought that Musashi was inspired by Portugeese duelists who acted as guards for the Jesuit enclaves?</blockquote>

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