What is the difference between a katana and a nodachi

Here, the Katana had its sharpened edge facing up, allowing the Samurai to draw then strike in one fluid motion. That equates to However, there is no definite size for this specific sword. The Nodachi is a type of Nihonto wielded by the Samurai warriors of feudal Japan. It was said that the sword was inspired by legendary mythology. However, an unearthed sword from the 5th century was found from a mound in Tochigi.

This proves that the Nodachi existed a long time ago. The Nodachi is often compared with other types of Nihonto.

When compared with the Tachi sword , the Nodachi has a longer blade. Also, both were used by infantry soldiers due to their sizes and were suitable for combat on the battlefield. Although the Katana is one of the long Japanese swords, the Nodachi is significantly longer. It measured over half the height of its carrier, so it required impressive strength and skill to wield the sword. Because of that, only a few warriors used the Nodachi efficiently. Aside from the Tachi, the Nodachi was also usually compared to the Katana.

Until today, sword collectors and enthusiasts have varied opinions on which is the better sword. It takes training for one to master the techniques of the two swords. Some say that the Nodachi can be categorized as a Japanese polearm due to its size. However, polearms were issued to armies since these were easy to use, unlike the Nodachi. Custom Nodachi.

Nodachi Carbon Steel with Black Saya. Create Your Custom Sword. Quick View. Add to cart. The uchigatana is an interesting sword; it looks like a katana, with a single-edged, curved blade, yet it is not a katana.

The primary difference between the two swords is the quality of craftsmanship. A katana was generally considered to be of a much higher quality. The sword was made of premium materials and could take a long time to complete. The uchigatana , comparatively, took a much shorter time and did not require superior jewel steel and blacksmithing. So, we have a first glance in the katana vs uchigatana comparison. The key difference is quality.

The materials were of lower quality, to the extent where the swords were actually considered disposable. The uchigatana would oftentimes be replaced after only one battle — because it wore out or broke off. To me, it is surprising that they would bother to make such poor swords in the first place. But I guess, more low tiers are better than a few premium blades when the enemy is at your doorstep.

However, considering the high quality and cost of the katana, it makes sense that less wealthy folk wanted their own, cheaper version of the katana: the uchigatana. Whether you are of high-born status or a meager peasant, nowadays you can buy exceptional mono-steel katanas. I wrote an article about the durability and sharpness issues in modern samurai blades.

If you prefer toughness above anything else, then spring and tool steel katanas are best. In the historical context, before the katana or the uchigatana , there was the tachi. The sword is curved similarly to the katana, and it can be hard to tell the two apart at first glance.

The primary difference between katana vs tachi is how they are handled; while the first one is held blade-up, the second one is held blade-down. Additionally, the tachi features a deeper curve next to the katana. This immensely powerful sword is said to be a favored weapon of the Gods themselves. This ancient weapon dates back to the 15th century. The nodachi is 3 or more shaku in size 1 shaku being roughly 30 cm. It is considerably larger than its counterparts. The katana measures 2 shaku; a longsword is 2 shaku or more.

The nodachi is the Japanese equivalent of a greatsword and its length is 3 shaku or more. Since the nodachi is so long, it was used as a field sword only. The sizable weapon could take down cavalrymen and their mounts alike. The length of the odachi vs nodachi vs katana means that the longest, the odachi and nodachi , are quite heavy. To wield this blade required much training to work up the muscles for the task.

So long and hefty was the sword that it was difficult to draw. To remedy this, some warriors had a follower that would help them draw the sword. I imagine that many strengthened themselves to the extent where they could draw their own swords, for both the sake of their pride and practicality.

In battle, the nodachi was truly devastating. The sword could shatter blade and bone alike. This made blocking a nodachi with a lesser sword a foolhardy move. The only chance those with smaller swords had was to dodge and wait for an opening immediately after a nodachi strike.

The slow recovery time of the more cumbersome weapon would leave a window for attack. The other option would be to tire out the wielder of the weighty nodachi. The nodachi is a high-quality weapon; it called for the most expert craftsmen, and, like the katana, it took a while to make. Another famous Japanese sword is the ninjato. There is actually no historical evidence of this sword, though it is popular in modern movies and the like.

The sheath of the ninjato is said to be longer than the actual blade. This was supposed to serve a couple of purposes: first, the storage of chemicals, poisons, and so on; and second, for the element of surprise, as their opponent expected a longer weapon and therefore a slower draw.

The ninjato is a single-edge short-sword, meaning it is generally below 2 shaku katana , but larger than 1 shaku or less a knife. It is of smaller length compared to katana or a longsword. Despite the lack of evidence for the ninjato , there are many replicas today. Some believe that these ninjato swords draw inspiration from the chokuto or the wakizashi. The odachi is similar to the nodachi in all but one way, which is explained as follows.

When it comes to the odachi vs nodachi vs katana, this contrastive comparison is, in fact, referring to only two types of swords; the katana is its own weapon, and the nodachi and the odachi are in fact completely the same physically. Here is a complete explanatory guide about the main differences in meaning between these. The only difference between the two is their names.

Nodachi means field-sword, whereas odachi means greatsword, alternately. The same object, referred to using different words, probably depending on the context. Katana means sword, simply. It is what the word used by the Japanese to refer to any standard sword. But when Japanese blades became popular in the West, we imported their vocabulary, sort of forgetting the initial meanings.

As touched on above, the odachi vs nodachi vs katana refers to only two types of swords. The odachi and the nodachi are in fact the same thing, only named differently nodachi meaning field-sword, odachi meaning greatsword. The names odachi and nodachi have been used interchangeably throughout history. When it comes down to pick a blade in a life-or-death situation, which one is the best in a duel? Assuming that both sword fighters are equally matched in their expertise, a fight between a nodachi and a katana can go a few different ways.

Those who wield the nodachi must train to be suitably strong, of course.