Battou-jutsu and the Gordion Knot

Posted on July 29, 2015 by Confanity

一刀両断
i-.ttou.ryou.dan

Literally: one – sword – both – sever

Alternately: Cutting something in two with a single stroke of the sword (a harder feat than you might think, if you’ve consumed a lot of pop fantasy and never practiced with a bladed weapon). Taking quick, decisive action. Making a decision without hesitation.

(As opposed to the examples in this battou-jutsu blooper reel)

About Confanity

I love the written word more than anything else I've had the chance to work with. I'm back in the States from Japan for grad school, but still studying Japanese with the hope of becoming a translator -- or writer, or even teacher -- as long as it's something language-related.

View all posts by Confanity →

This entry was posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo and tagged battou, bloopers, cut in half, sword, 抜刀, 一刀, 両断. Bookmark the permalink.

4 Responses to Battou-jutsu and the Gordion Knot

locksleyu says:

July 29, 2015 at 10:45 am

Cool video (: Not sure if you knew or not, but the video can’t be streamed from your post (“Playback on other websites has been disabled by the video owner”)

Reply
- Confanity says:
  
  July 30, 2015 at 12:04 am
  
  I didn’t know that, actually. Maybe I should search for another one and replace it, but for now it just means an extra click for visitors who want to watch it, I guess?
  
  Reply
Pingback: The sunny ant of the high seas | landofnudotcom
Pingback: But what do you do with half a hemp-tangle? | landofnudotcom