my brother bought me a genuine samurai sword for christmas, should i learn to use it, or put it on my wall?

Question

or should i do both?

yea to Bluto guy, its just a sword, i really don't care what it costs or if its really genuine coz if its made of steel, and if u can stab someone with it, and if its presented correctly - then i dont care.
also its an exact replica of the one tom cruise used in the last battle in the last samurai

Answer 1

That really depends on you. No matter the quality of the sword, it has caught your interest to learn to use it. So even if you can or cannot use that sword itself for learning is irrelevant. IF you think you can put up with the vigorous training that goes with it then go for it. There is Iado, the art of sword drawing where you use real Katana, and there is Kendo based on the use of the Katana but practised with full body gear and usually shinai (bamboo swords) or bokken (wooden replica of a Katana). Those are two good Japanese sword styles that go with the Katana.

IF you want to learn a differant sword style, say Chinese or even Fencing, then you will need the proper sword for the class.

So again, you can use it potentially for both. On your wall when not in use, or on your wall permanately if it is not the proper sword for the class and get the proper one.

I hope that helps.

Make sure you check into the references of any sword teacher and make sure they are for real and not a hoax, you can do so by talking to them and looking at their certificates, see who their teacher was and backwards to the founding father of the school system. Their are many great swordsman that you can learn from but also many non proffesional swordsman that pass themselves off as a practioner and teach senseless dangerous moves that would either hurt you or someone else in practise.

So go with your hearts desire, but do it safely.

PS just for accuracy sake, a true Katana would cost a thousand or more to purchase for it is hand crafted and the blade folded many times from a block of special metal into a long sharp sword, versus using 440 stainless which is not folded and is cut out to shape with no folds making it less durable and strong. A authentic Samuraii sword would cut a 440 in half upon strike. I am sure it is an authentic replica and looks awesome. I have a genuine authentic replica of Excalibur in a showcase but it is not for combat use. I did purchase a true katana for nearly $2500 for competition use in Iado back in the early 90's. It was a folded blade made from hand in Japan as is my GI (uniform is a Mitsobosi .sp?) a top quality Gi like a Taikado Gi. So your sword is authentic yes, but maybe not combat ready if says 440 stainless on it as a set I have does on display.

Answer 2

How do you know it is genuine?

If it says 440 stainless steel on it, or is made with any form of plastic, it is fake and belongs on your wall.

It might be rude to ask what he spent, but chances are unless he spent in the neighborhood of $1000 give or take, it is fake.

I highly doubt that your brother would spend $1000 on a sword for you fro christmas, I'm not saying he wouldn't, or that he doesn't love you, but that there are many more practical gifts you can buy for someone who is already not training in sword arts and would want another live blade that are in that price range.

A real sword is a HIGHLY specialized gift that it would be unusual to give to a person who is not a collector or enthusiast. More likely for that money he would get you a 30-40 inch HDTV or something like that.

If you are really curious, find a martial arts store in your area and ask them. If you are interested in taking sword classes and learning to fight with a sword then you should look up schools, but doing so because you feel you have to learn to use a gift is not a good idea.

EDIT: To the person below, did you really learn to use it or did you just learn to swing it around?

If you didn't spar against someoene, you didn't learn to use it. You would obviously spar with an accurate replica and some padding, but I know from training and sparring with ARMA that chain weapons and flails in particular are difficult to come up with safe and accurate versions, There are ways, but it requires more protection that just training with a "stiff" waster or wood replica of a weapon.

Answer 3

Absolutely learn how to use it!!! There is a wooden training sword called a bokken that you can find at any martial arts supply store. It is weighed and balanced to perfectly emulate a katana (samurai long sword). If there is an Akido dojo in your town, they may be willing to give you private lessons. I say this about Akido because the katana is a weapon that is integral to their art. Try it! And when you get good enough with the bokken, unsheathe your katana and know that you can Kill Bill or whatever else. How many people on your block can attest to that?

Answer 4

Buy a wooden sword. Learn to use that then practice with the real one. Other wise you're liable to chop your own arm off or your cat in half. Katana are very sharp. Hang it up until you are sure you know what you are doing. If you want to learn at all.... I would just mount it on the wall so your guests can admire it, and you too...

Answer 5

Put in on the wall, the replica's of the "Last Samauri" are display models only, they are very beautiful. If you try to do any cutting, the blade will break with any force. You could use it for learning kata's with the sword, look into kendo. But don't attempt to cut.

Answer 6

I think you should mount it on a wall in a display case. Only a samaurai should touch the blade of his sword as if anyone else does it will bring bad luck.
If you don't know how to strike with a sword, learn the basics from a reputable club using a SAFE not a live blade

Answer 7

Put the sword on your wall , and if you are interested in learning to use it take up kendo or iaido . Get a practice sword for iaido and a wood shianai for kendo .

Answer 8

You should learn how to use it first (with a wooden sword), then still keep it on the wall.

Answer 9

ohhh that sounds so dangerous try not to kill innocent animals with it. Just Kidding. take a class but use a practice katana wood or plastic. your instructor will tell you when you should or should not use the katana there are rules in competition for levels of ability to use sharpened steel weapons

Answer 10

it's up 2 u , that would be a great talent to learn how 2 use it. I got a meteor hammer chain mace like gogo had on kill bill.I learned how to use it and I impressed a lot of people with my new talent. but it's really up 2 u.