Tachi wasn't originally intended to be used with both hands. If you see
at the Tsuka of early curved Tachi (and not only) you'll find it
relatively shorter than that we find on Katana. And even with this
consideration, think that Samurai *were* able to control the horse
without hands. Their main weapon for centuries was the bow.
Non-prof Tsubame.
-----Messaggio originale-----
Da:
murphymurphyjohn@... [mailto:
murphymurphyjohn@...]
Inviato: giovedì 20 novembre 2003 19.11
A:
samuraihistory@yahoogroups.com
Oggetto: Re: [samuraihistory] TACHI and tai chi
Lord Wilson raises, as is usual, an interesting point. However, on
the
surface, it appears that the samurai long sword, or tachi, seems to be
unrelated to tai chi, or more properly t'ai chi ch'uan. T'ai chi is
mentioned
historically in the T'ang Dynasty (618---960AD), although is thought to
be much older
in China. For more on its origins, consult Angus Clark, The Complete
Illustrated Guide to Ta'i Chi (2000). Regarding the tachi, studying
pictorial
sources, it appears few riders used it in combat. This is
understandable. Riding
a horse, keeping control of your mount is most important; in combat,
your
horse is your best ally. Using a sword that seems to have required both
hands
would have been hazardous indeed--for what would you use to control the
reins? Prof Murphy
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