How Good is a Hidden Katana (Shikomizue)?

During Japan's Meiji period the wearing of swords was banned, so of course people did it in secret, carrying blades hidden inside inconspicuous walking sticks or canes. The concealment comes at a price, making it a worse design in an open duel compared to a traditional katana. But does it make up for its drawbacks through its unexpected effectiveness for self-defense in a surprise attack on the street? Let's take a closer look at its pros & cons and how it works, as well as what distinguishes a Shikomizue from a Shirasaya mount. The sword I'm showing in this video: https://www.kultofathena.com/product/... (affiliate link) Technique demonstration by Seki Sensei    • I Handed Zatōichi's Katana Cane to a Katan...   Picture sources: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi... https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collect... https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collect... https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi... https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi... https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi... https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/au... https://new.uniquejapan.com/a-meiji-p... https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi... ** Music credits ** “Gray Trip” by HorrorPen https://opengameart.org/content/gray-... Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license (CC BY 3.0) Outro: "Highland Storm" by The Slanted Room Records https://theslantedroom.github.io/stev... Used with artist's permission ** Merch ** https://www.bonfire.com/store/skallswag/ If you want to join Bonfire to start selling your own merch: https://www.bonfire.com/welcome/07bb1... ** Support the channel ** Help fund future videos, get bonus content and access to an exclusive Discord server:   / skallagrim      / @skallagrim   Other ways to support the channel by shopping through affiliate links: Kult of Athena, my favorite online store for reproductions of historical arms and armor, fantasy swords, etc: https://www.kultofathena.com/?koa=259 Where to get HEMA gear and practice swords: http://www.woodenswords.com/?Click=1799 Want to treat your face fluff? I highly recommend the balms and oils from Beard Sorcery: https://beardsorcery.com/?ref=0UEFtHW... Books about history, martial arts, swords, knives, video/audio equipment, and other stuff I recommend: US - https://www.amazon.com/shop/skallagri... Canada - https://amzn.to/2HeOCMA ** Second channel / other social media **    / @skallhalla     / _skallagrim_     / skallagrimyt     / skallagrim_yt   #skallagrim #katana #shirasaya #shikomizue #samurai #kenjutsu