The Nōdachi (Field Sword)

[cheng]

The ōdachi (great sword) or nōdachi (field sword) had a blade 3-5 feet with a shaft about 2 feet long
was unsuitable for close-quarters combat and used mainly from horseback.
Most popular during the Edo Period, it had to be carried on one's back and was impossible for the wielder to draw it quickly except for Sasaki Kojiro.

Sasaki Kojirō (circa 1585 – April 13, 1612) is most remembered for his death battling Miyamoto Musashi
using the "Monohoshizao" (The Laundry-Drying Pole)

In 1605, Kojiro created his most feared technique in feudal Japan called Tsubame Gaeshi (Turning Swallow Cut), which was so quick and precise that it could strike down a bird in mid-flight.
This technique involved fierce and swift cuts downward and then immediately upwards,
like an eagle climbing again after swooping down on its prey.

The importance of the nodachi died off after the Siege of Osaka in 1615
after the Bakufu government prohibited swords above a certain length.

And Arigatogozaimasu, Cowabounga-san, for this legendary and BEAUTIFUL ōdachi

[cowabounga]

Awesome custom my friend! Makes me want to make a new nodachi, since now they have improved the polishing process at sculpteo.
 

[cheng]

Awesome custom my friend! Makes me want to make a new nodachi, since now they have improved the polishing process at sculpteo.
 

Arnaud, I wanted very much to shorten the 5' to a 3' blade but glad I didn't...because I couldnt have strapped an exposed blade correctly on his back.

All the swords Geobra makes are without their sheaths and that forces us to always dlsplay their swords unsheathed in their hands...would be so wrong to hang a unsheathed blade to a klicky's waist...have you ever considered printing swords/daggers still in their sheaths like those sheathed bayonets on those beautifully customized Napoleonic soldiers' hips

and can you please explain a little bit more as to how they are polishing them at sculpteo? (our last discussion with Malone on 3D vs moulding..we all agreed that the only disadvantage of 3D printing is the uneven surface)

[cowabounga]

Hey Cheng. Designing a sheathed katana isn't a problem. It's much easier now that I'm using Rhino instead of Tinkercad.
The polishing process at sculpteo is something like stone washing for jeans, that's all I know.

[Pynedor]

Great custom and explanation!

[DrDalek6]

Looks the business I certainly wouldn't want to be on the recieving end of that blade 

[Rasputin]

 Very nice field sword. Even though it's historically accurate it looks so long but on horse back I bet it's quite handy.

A sword sheath would be a nice touch