Some swords are more balanced towards the tsuka whilst some are more balanced towards the kissaki (tip of the blade).
Checking the balanceīuying an iaito in store is ideal because you can ask to try swinging various sword to get a feel the balance. Many sellers also provide approximate weights for the various lengths of iaito. There is no need to overdo it, choosing a lighter iaito to begin with so that you can get used to the weight first and foremost, if needed, increase it later by getting a second iaito when you are more experienced.
#Chart of katana length based on height how to
This is because suddenly using a heavier and more realistic sword might cause stress to your body and eventually lead to injury: noone is used to the movements when they start and heavy iaito inevitable cuase strain when learning how to handle them. Regarding the weightįor beginners, it is generally recommend to choose a lighter iaito. Even 1cm can make all the difference when you hold the Iaito, so if you don’t have any restrictions, we recommend that you choose an Iaito that is slightly shorter than you “need” as a beginner. As a beginner, it might be hard to draw your sword when it’s hanging from your waist to begin with, and if you buy an Iaito that is too long, it can lead to injury or bad habits as a result of the mismatch. In some cases using the measurement of your arms might be a better estimation for the sword length rather than your actual height.įor example, if you are 170cm tall, but the measurement of your arms is about 165cm, you might want to consider choosing an Iaito that is good for someone who is 165cm tall instead of 170cm.Īlso for beginners, in most cases, it is a good idea to choose an Iaito that is about 5 Bu (approximately 1.5cm) shorter than recommended. If you stand up straight, spread out your arms with open hands, supposedly, your height should be about the same as the distance in-between the tips of your middle fingers with your arms spread out in this position. Most charts are based on height, but as everyone is different, some people might have longer or shorter arms, and thus you should take that into consideration when choosing your sword. Most shops will have established size charts with general recommendations regarding the length of the iaito, so please use that as a reference. Unless there are specific requirements or rules regarding the length and weight of the Iaito, you should choose an iaito that is easy for you to use.
The reason for this, is that you can not only try the iaito by doing suburi, you can try to do tai-tō to get a feeling of the iaito in that position also. It is also a good idea to bring your Obi with you. It is easy to forget things when faced with an array of options and they will help you to remember the most important elements. Bringing your Sensei or Senpai with you, especially if you have just begun practicing, is a great way of getting on-hand advice according to the traditions of your style and dojo. If you have a chance to buy it directly in a store, if possible you should refrain from going by yourself. If possible, you should ask your fellow students to let you handle and swing their iaito before buying: this way you can get a good feel for the kind of balance and style you prefer. This is the key to getting the most out of your training. Even if there are no specific restrictions, you should be able to get some good advice for how to choose an appropriate iaito for someone of your level. If there are rules regarding the length or weight, you should take these into consideration when choosing your iaito. Even seemingly aesthetic only options like menuki and sageo can be affected by one’s ryuha (style). Depending on the style or dojo you are practicing in, there might be certain preferences regarding length and weight of iaito. The first thing you should do, before visiting any shops or looking at any options, is to have a discussion about it with your Sensei and Senpai in your dojo.
We go through each step of the process recommending what information to consider as well as explaining some of the many options available and how they may impact your training. Beyond the aesthetics and theme of the koshirae, there are many factors like blade type and tsuka length to consider. In this article we are going to take a look at how to go about choosing the right iaito for you.
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