Nagamaki

The Nagamaki sword sometime can have an handle that’s equally long as the blade. It does require more of strength to wield it — however not as much as the Nodachi — and opens up the way for many types of attacks. It’s one of the favorite swords for Samurai warriors of all classes, since it provides both a greater reach than normal swords and a whole new variety of attacks.

The nagamaki was the preferred weapon of some of the greatest strategic leaders. An army fully armed with this type of sword can prove to be effective both against foot soldiers and cavalry.

No one knows for sure what the origin of the nagamaki was. Some believed it came from warriors covering in leather part of the blade of the nodachi, thus making it more manageable. Others believe it was a gift from Amaterasu herself to the ambitious son of an emperor, who wanted to conquer the entirety of Japan to unite it under a single banner.