No Dachi?

[NinjaKilla]

What exactly does No Dachi mean? Is it the name of a weapon?

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Clan Kenchikuka (http://pub14.ezboard.com/fclankenchikukakenchikukacouncilchamber)

[Rath]

Yeh its a sword im sure

[Ii Naomasa]

I've never happily found the answer behind the literal translation of "no dachi" (or, perhaps more correctly, "nodachi"). To be frank, though, I've never invested too much time into it.

The character for "no" in the word most commonly translates into 'field'. "Dachi" is the phonetic spelling of 'tachi' (the problem with adapting an alphabet to represent sounds in a language that doesn't natively use it...the same reason you wind up with Chinese names like Cao Cao, which is more correctly pronounced by following the alternate spelling T'sao T'sao). A "tachi", of course, is a long sword (if you get technical, tachi are the long swords most commonly seen worn by armored samurai that hang below the belt blade down. They're usually slightly longer than katana and more curved).

So we wind up with the literal definition of 'field long sword', which could mean a battlefield long sword, or perhaps in reference to the fact that its blade was sickle-like in its curvature, but I'm probably missing some less literal meaning.

The nodachi is a large, two handed sword (unlike the katana and even the tachi, which could be used one handed if need be). I haven't come across many historical references to them (partially because weapons aren't often described in detail and if you're working mainly off translated texts, many tend to just translate various words for either 'spear', 'sword', or 'halberd' into their general term instead of naming them specifically), but it appears that they were tachi with longer, usually even more curved blades.

I haven't seen a real one in person and so I cannot vouch for the numbers (in fact, much like tales of seven to ten foot long Scottish claymores, I'm willing to chalk the high end of these up to fantasy), but I've read that nodachi had three and a half to five foot blades, with two foot long handles. Given the curved nature of the blade, a five foot blade would not be as difficult to wield as a straight edge, but a sword that's two feet longer than you are tall is still not something easily used.



Hope this goes a bit to answer your question.



[This message has been edited by Ii Naomasa (edited 02-04-2002).]

[NinjaKilla]

Man I love this place. Slap a question up in the morning and by the time to put your head back on the pillow it's answered.

Maybe I could post some of my essay titles up here...? http://www.totalwar.org/ubb/wink.gif

Thank you very much Ii Naomasa!


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Clan Kenchikuka (http://pub14.ezboard.com/fclankenchikukakenchikukacouncilchamber)

[Grim]

Toshiro Mifune, in "The 7 Samurai", sports a Nodachi. Albeit a small one (your 3.5ft blade, Li Naomasa-sama).

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"Je vous repondrai par la bouche de mes canons"
-Frontenac
(I will answer you with the blast of my canons)
-Trad. libre

[Yoritomo78]

When I visited the Atsuta Jingu Shrine in Nagoya (where the grass cutting sword, one of the three sacred relics of Amaterasu Omi Kami is held), they have a small museum housing artefacts such as formal clothing of priests and a good display of weapons..

What blew me away (im not exaggerating or bulshitting here) was the size of the sword that was encased at the front of the museum. The length of this No-Dachi (blade) was 5 feet, all up it was taller than me (im 6ft 3") I couldnt take a picture, but it is the largest sword I have ever laid eyes upon. Saya and all it was magnificent.

[Yagyu Jubei]

Wow I really should have gone to Nagoya! Maybe next time.
Here are Miyamoto Musahi's words on the NO Dachi.

"Other Schools Using Extra-Long Swords
Some other schools have a liking for extra-long swords. From the point of view of my strategy these must be seen as weak schools. This is because they do not appreciate the principle of cutting the enemy by any means. Their preference is for the extra-long sword and, relying on the virtue of its length, they think to defeat the enemy from a distance.
In this world it is said, "One inch gives the hand advantage", but these are the idle words of one who does not know strategy. It shows the inferior strategy of a weak sprit that men should be dependant on the length of their sword, fighting from a distance without the benefit of strategy.

I expect there is a case for the school in question liking extra-long swords as part of it's doctrine, but if we compare this with real life it is unreasonable. Surely we need not necessarily be defeated if we are using a short sword, and have no long sword?

It is difficult for these people to cut the enemy when at close quarters because of the length of the long sword. The blade path is large so the long sword is an encumbrance, and they are at a disadvantage compared to the man armed with a short companion sword.

From olden times it has been said: "Great and small go together." So do not unconditionally dislike extra-long swords. What I dislike is the inclination towards the long sword. If we consider large-scale strategy, we can think of large forces in terms of long swords, and small forces as short swords. Cannot few men give battle against many? There are many instances of few men overcoming many.

Your strategy is of no account if when called on to fight in a confined space your heart is inclined to the long sword, or if you are in a house armed only with your companion sword. Besides, some men have not the strength of others.

In my doctrine, I dislike preconceived, narrow spirit. You must study this well."

I think he has a good point. As a person who trains in the arts of Japanese swordsmanship, I can hardly imaging using a No Dachi very effectively in any given situation. All one need do is to "get inside" of your attack zone and the weapon would be much less effective. It would take an incredible amount of strength to weild such a large weapon. I get tired after a few minutes of swinging my Katana....One of the hardest parts of Japanese fencing is stopping the blade. With a No Dachi it would be very difficult to keep the blade from hitting the ground if you miss!
Just some thoughts.....

[Tac]

And bear into mind that the avg Japanese male in those times was around 4 foot 5.

They were the size of 8 or 10 year old children.

I saw a No-Dachi and some of the Yari spears used during Nobunaga's time.. I could only think "Holy COW, and child-sized men would hack each other with these monsters?".