Rurouni Kenshin

[ManxoChu]

I'd recently gotten my grubby lil hands on vol 1 of the Rurouni Kenshin graphic novel by Shonen Jump and Viz. I have to say that this is one excellent series. The mix of romantic comedy and swordwielding action make for one excellent read.

I really loved the creator's blending of Japanese history with his own fiction as well as the fact that Kenshin was based off an actual person from their history. This combined with seeing The Last Samurai made December a great month in '03 for me. Bad thing is it makes me yearn to further add to my collection of samurai swords.

I am, however, interested about the plausibility of Kenshin's weapon. The sakabatou, or reverse-edged sword, seems like it'd be possible to create and wield efficiently. Just from look alone, it would appear that it would weigh more than your typical samurai sword. I tried swinging my sword reversed, with the sharp edge towards me, and I could already feel the difference. Anyone's opinion on the matter?

[Anubis]

It would be technically plausible to make the sakabatou, the theory is sound, but unlikely IMO in practice to actually use it, because it would still be too easy to kill someone even with the blunt edge of the sword. Kaoru had the right idea for a non-lethal solution, focusing on the wooden sword. One thing about the sakabatou would be the curve of the blade. Katanas have that slight curve to help with the slicing motion, and I would have to wonder, if using the reversed blade to cut, that would have to work against the swing, wouldn't it?. Any sword experts around?

I loved Rurouni Kenshin. One of my favorites. I too am happy to get the manga finally, so now I can see the revenge arc in it's entirety.

Edited January 3, 2004 by Anubis

[soulDistortion]

http://www.weaponmasters.com/index.html?ID...78c&ITEM=KE2044

[yellowlightman]

Having a non-lethal sword is pretty dumb, swords are designed to kill. If you want to just disarm somebody or not kill someone, using a weapon isn't a very good idea, especially not a sword.

Wooden swords are fairly lethal, a hit to the head can put someone down pretty easily, not to mention breaking bones if used in other areas.

[Anubis]

http://www.weaponmasters.com/index.html?ID...78c&ITEM=KE2044

I read a while back that some places were making actual ones, or replicas, but I haven't seen one before.

I always liked Hiko's type of sword.

Edited January 3, 2004 by Anubis

[azrael]

Katanas have that slight curve to help with the slicing motion, and I would have to wonder, if using the reversed blade to cut, that would have to work against the swing, wouldn't it?.

Close enough. Katanas and a distant cousin, the scimitar or saber (Arab countries) were designed for a slashing motion. When you make a slashing motion, the curve in the blade follows the movement of the cut. When you bring the blade down, the blade moves so that you make the cut with the entire blade and not just one spot on the blade. This reduces the chances of the blade from dulling at one spot. It's a nifty idea. European swords tend to follow a thrusting motion over a slashing. This is why they tend to be somewhat triangular in shape. You could still use the sword for slashing however, the risk of causing dull spots increase a bit.

edit: Oh, and another thing, a sakabato would defeat the purpose of how one is suppose to hold/store a katana. The sharp end should always face up so that you reduce the chance of damaging the blade in the scabbard. However, since the dull side faces up...

Edited January 3, 2004 by azrael

[soulDistortion]

...One thing about the sakabatou would be the curve of the blade. Katanas have that slight curve to help with the slicing motion, and I would have to wonder, if using the reversed blade to cut, that would have to work against the swing, wouldn't it?.

I'm thinking that's the point. The entire purpose of the reverse-blade is to allow normal sword-wielding techniques without the typical lethal results.

The sharp side isn't meant to be used very often, more as a last resort. So if it takes a little more effort to use it for it's intended purpose, it's a bit of a moot point if you're in a situation where you've got to use it in the first place.

[yellowlightman]

...One thing about the sakabatou would be the curve of the blade.  Katanas have that slight curve to help with the slicing motion, and I would have to wonder, if using the reversed blade to cut, that would have to work against the swing, wouldn't it?.

I'm thinking that's the point. The entire purpose of the reverse-blade is to allow normal sword-wielding techniques without the typical lethal results.

The sharp side isn't meant to be used very often, more as a last resort. So if it takes a little more effort to use it for it's intended purpose, it's a bit of a moot point if you're in a situation where you've got to use it in the first place.

Normal sword wielding techniques are intended to kill. Japanese sword techniques especially are meant for quick, clean kills without too much elaborate sword play. Not to mention being hit by even the dull side is gonna result in serious injury if not death anyways. If he had wanted to use a weapon that he could protect himself with and not kill people, something like a staff would make much more sense. As it is, the reverse blade idea is just pointless and has no basis in reason.

But I guess it is an anime series.

[Lynx7725]

Normal sword wielding techniques are intended to kill. Japanese sword techniques especially are meant for quick, clean kills without too much elaborate sword play. Not to mention being hit by even the dull side is gonna result in serious injury if not death anyways. If he had wanted to use a weapon that he could protect himself with and not kill people, something like a staff would make much more sense. As it is, the reverse blade idea is just pointless and has no basis in reason.

But I guess it is an anime series.

In the context of Rurouni Kenshin, the Sakabatou is there for a reason, which will be covered in a later volume.. suffice to say, it's not exactly Kenshin's choice to carry it.

[Anubis]

It was the only type of sword Kenshin could use with his vow not to kill.

Kenshin was given the first Sakabatou from Shakku (I think the was the spelling). He thought it suited Kenshin's new vow not to kill again. Told him if he can still practice what he was preaching when that sword broke come see him again. Something like that at least. Then went to look for him when he got to Kyoto after it was broken against Soujiro. Shakku's son eventually gave him the principal Sakabatou after saving his son. There's a lot more to it than that, but just to keep it short and not spoil it for those who haven't seen it yet. I'm looking forward to seeing how the story plays out in the manga. I read many times that up through Kyoto the show was supposed to be very close to the manga, and then after that, the revenge arc which I have only seen very little of, but looked very good.

Edited January 4, 2004 by Anubis

[yellowlightman]

Well, whether or not it has a reason within the story... It wouldn't have existed in reality, and that's what always bugged me about Kenshin.

[Anubis]

Well, whether or not it has a reason within the story... It wouldn't have existed in reality, and that's what always bugged me about Kenshin.

We could say that about many shows. A little suspension of disbelief is required very often.

Most of the characters in Kenshin are not plausable anyway. Look at the Juppongatana and Shishio. It wasn't intended to be that realistic. The OVA maybe, but that's about it.

[Sumdumgai]

Yeah, it's one of those suspend your beliefs kind of thing. I mean, a bokken is as lethal a weapon as a katana (it may not be able to cut, but some people used them instead of katanas), a sakabatou would be just as lethal if not more so. Get a good hit in the head, a hit in the neck, cause some internal organ damage, you get the picture.

If anyone is familiar with the Miyamoto Musashi story, in one of his duels he chose to use a bokken rather than a katana. It wasn't so that he wouldn't kill his opponent, it was for longer reach (he carved one out of an oar) while retaining the ability to kill.

RK is one of my favorite series, but someone seriously needs to kick his ass. Saito could/would, Watsuki even said so at AX, with the only exception being if Kenshin were fighting to protect someone. Otherwise if it became duel time...

[no3Ljm]

New Rurouni Kenshin anime series will be released in 2023.
"るろうに剣心 -明治剣客浪漫譚-"

 

 

[azrael]

Why?

I get they never adapted the entire manga to animation properly...but why?

[Hikuro]

13 hours ago, azrael said:

Why?

I get they never adapted the entire manga to animation properly...but why?

Agreed, there’s no real need for a reboot. Surprised anyone would touch it after The author got busted for kiddy porn.

[Convectuoso]

The original show is one of my favorites, at least the first two seasons. The bar, for me, is really high for this reboot. 

[kajnrig]

3 hours ago, Hikuro said:

Agreed, there’s no real need for a reboot. Surprised anyone would touch it after The author got busted for kiddy porn.

Considering the "punishment" he received, I'm not surprised at all. Child sex abuse just isn't quite the faux pas in Japan that, say, smoking marijuana is.

[no3Ljm]

 

[no3Ljm]

 

[no3Ljm]

 

[no3Ljm]

BUZZmod 1/12 Rurouni Kenshin HIMURA KENSHIN
May 2024 Release
Y9900

[no3Ljm]

S.H.Figuarts KENSHIN announced.

[no3Ljm]