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Justin Pasternak
Location: West Springfield, Massachusetts Joined: 17 Sep 2006
Posts: 174
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Gabriel Lebec
myArmoury Team
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 Posted: Tue 02 Oct, 2007 9:06 pm Post subject: |
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Hello Justin,
If your question is about interpretation of the article, then I'd say the precise quote:
| Dr. Takeuchi wrote: | V. The Legal Classification of Nihon-to in Modern Japan.
...Also, since the official adoption of the metric system in 1891, the traditional length units of "shaku," "sun" and "bu" are no longer used; thus the legal designations of tanto, wakizashi, and katana by their length under today’s Japanese laws are as follows (Ogasawara, 1994a):
...(a) tanto - to be 30cm or shorter... |
Indicates exactly 30 cm in the metric system, approximately equal to 11.81" in English units. Note that Dr. T mentions that traditional units were abandoned, and since modern Japan uses the metric system and the new units are listed as cm, I would think it logical that he means "actual" metric cm. 
A small question on the precise meaning of a single word used in his article would probably have been better asked to Dr. T directly, as opposed to making a topic about it.
General discussion about Japanese sword classification by length is fine however. In that vein I'd like to add that, as Dr. T mentions in the section "VI. Legal vs. Academic: Coexistence of dual-classifications in Modern Japan," modern legal classification and current academic classification are two different things. The legal classification is to enforce laws regarding sword production (modern tosho are limited to 2 long swords or 3 short swords per month), possibly among other things (such as the paperwork of registration). Academic classification is usually concerned more with the overall identity of a blade rather than simplifying everything into three rigid length-based definitions.
"The most beautiful experience we can have is the mysterious. It is the fundamental emotion that stands at the cradle of true art and true science." - Albert Einstein
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Justin Pasternak
Location: West Springfield, Massachusetts Joined: 17 Sep 2006
Posts: 174
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| Posted: Wed 03 Oct, 2007 7:35 am Post subject: |
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Thanks again for your help, Gabriel. 
In the future, I'll remember to ask Dr. T if I have any other questions.
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