Trick wrote:The Japanese samurais just did an quick powerful little swing with their sword and off the enemies blood went, or a sharp little knock on the sword handle with the other hand also had the same effect. No cleaners napkins where in need
Trick wrote:The paper and powdering pampering was after work maintenance done while sitting on the comfortable tatami covered floor back at the house ?. I cant believe paper(napkins?) or handkerchiefs where brought along to the battle field in case the blade got bloody ? The Japanese sword katas show exactly how things should be done, no wasted moves there
Trick wrote:
...of course those specific moves are kind of symbolic since there’s no blood on the blade when Kata practiced, but how do we know they are of no function?
marvin8 wrote:windwalker wrote:Shouldn't the question be what are ones uses or anyone's uses for the tassel or colth on the end of a weapon. . . .
Anyone here work in a butcher shop, or watch butchers doing their work cutting the meat. Most that I've seen all have some type of cloth, apron, for wiping their hands or blade during, or after their work.
Excerpt from "The Sword Structure:"Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming on July 20, 2015 wrote:The Tassel (Jian Sui, 劍繐).. . .The reasons for not using a tassel are as follows: first, the tassel changes the balance of the sword, making it harder to handle; second, it can become entangled in the sword arm, distracting the sword fighter; third, the opponent can grab the tassel and gain control of the sword.
Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming on October 18, 2010 wrote:Saber or Wide Blade Sword (Dao)
The character for saber was also commonly translated as “Wide Blade Sword.” The blade was more than 1.5 inches wide, and the handle was often sandwiched between two pieces of wood, and then wrapped with cloth to absorb sweat. A circular or semicircular metal guard pro tected the hand from an enemy’s weapon sliding down the blade. Often, a handkerchief as long as the blade hung from the handle to distract the enemy and to wipe blood off the blade.
Adam Hsu wrote:
Blood Duster
Quite often, practitioners tie a red cloth to the end of the handle.
Not only that, some even use a red and green bi-color cloth. . . .
But we may ask: Why attach a piece of cloth at all, whether blue-white-red, or red-green or the most commonly used red?
"Just to look nice?" . . .
This piece of red cloth has a special name: "Blood Duster!"
Ok, from the name, its function should be obvious.
Isn't the saber a killing weapon? After killing, wouldn't it be stained with blood?
Then the red cloth is used to wipe and mop the saber. Hence it is called Blood Duster.
Here's an analogy. At the bottom of the stock of an M1 rifle used by infantry, there is a small compartment for accessories (oil, cleaning rag, small brush, etc.) used to clean and care for the gun, just for convenience.
Same reason. Blood Duster is the saber's cleaning accessory.
Therefore, Blood Duster is usually tied at the tail of the handle. Its formal function is wiping blood off the saber!
Consequently, the installation of the Blood Duster has to be flexible. It should be easily be removed for use. Otherwise, it would be just a decorative ornament.
. . . But, but, but: "I still don't understand. During a performance, should it be there?"
The so-called performance merely simulates real combat so others can see the practitioner's technique.
Then, let's talk about combat before turning back to performance.
During combat, the Blood Duster HAS to be dismantled.
Or it could be tucked in a pocket or somewhere handy to wipe the enemy's blood later.
Or it could be thrown away and simply get lost!
"Why can't I still keep it on the saber and just fight like that?"
'Cause it might be distracting; remember fighting is a life and death business!
Now, need I say more about whether to attach a Blood Duster for a performance?
Daniel Farber wrote:In ancient times, a piece of cloth, usually red, was attached to the end of the saber handle and used to clean the weapon after an encounter. During a fight, the cloth was easily removed to avoid the possibility of the cloth impairing vision. In modern times, the cloth piece, or "tassel," has a decorative function, featuring a variety of colors and styles. This type of non-detachable, ornamental design is useless in martial arts practice; however, in long weapons such as the spear, the tassel is used to confuse the opponent's vision and keep the shaft clean during combat.
Steve James wrote:Wipe the blood off on the opponent. But, seriously, wouldn't a scabbard remove most of the blood? And, if not, wouldn't a lot of time be spent wiping off blood before sheathing? Wouldn't all this take place after a battle, when there was time to actually clean the weapon?
Also, just curious, but how much blood actually stayed on a blade anyway? Any experimenters?
Trick wrote:I can understand that a sword need more metal to make and that might be to much steel to give the foot soldiers. So what where used when spear formations had been broken, clubs/maces, axes ?
Trick wrote:I can understand that a sword need more metal to make and that might be to much steel to give the foot soldiers. So what where used when spear formations had been broken, clubs/maces, axes ?
Bao wrote:Obviously you never want to put a bloody filthy sword into its scabbard. Good luck next time you need to pull up the sword quickly but find it stuck...
Here you find several different troop formations of larger and smaller groups:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jixiao_Xinshu
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