http://oriental-decor.com/diary/history-and-legends/japanese-samurai-swords-storied-history/ Notes on the world's handmade treasures Thu, 17 May 2012 09:01:16 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 http://oriental-decor.com/diary/history-and-legends/japanese-samurai-swords-storied-history/#comment-126 Mugami Sun, 22 Nov 2009 10:32:45 +0000 http://oriental-decor.com/diary/?p=282#comment-126 I'm only 5'8" and 150 lbs. and I can use my odachi one handed. It takes skill and practice, like all martial arts. I do iaido with it. You can actually draw it from your side in a slightly wider stance, as long as the blade is no longer than your height minus 20 inches. You do have to sling it a fist below your waist though. Otherwise, it just like using my katana. I also incorporate alot of tai chi into my katas. Their is, of course, kageryu. It focuses on use of the odachi. You really have to use bo (not naginata) forms with an odachi. The balance is only 8 inches above the tsuba on mine, so nagis would not 'flow' well with it. I’m only 5′8″ and 150 lbs. and I can use my odachi one handed. It takes skill and practice, like all martial arts. I do iaido with it. You can actually draw it from your side in a slightly wider stance, as long as the blade is no longer than your height minus 20 inches. You do have to sling it a fist below your waist though. Otherwise, it just like using my katana. I also incorporate alot of tai chi into my katas. Their is, of course, kageryu. It focuses on use of the odachi. You really have to use bo (not naginata) forms with an odachi. The balance is only 8 inches above the tsuba on mine, so nagis would not ‘flow’ well with it.

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