Origins of katate waza

[Genya]

I´ve been wondering how/why/when katate waza (jodan and nito) was included in kendo. I suppose when wielding a katana strikes were mainly done with both hands while in jodan. Did katate techniques already exist back then, or were they just invented later on by someone who then started to develop them to their current form?

[Hisham]

Did katate techniques already exist back then, or were they just invented later on by someone who then started to develop them to their current form?

If i had to guess, in the case of kendo's jodan cuts, most probably the latter.

[Raffa]

Hello Genya, I am not an historian, but using the japaneese sword with only an hand was not so uncommon at least in Musashi's time. In fact in his famous book he clearly say that, with an adeguate training, using the sword with only an hand is not difficult, and must be done. It is possible to argue on the eventual changes on the mechanics of the cut caused by the weight difference. Regarding this aspect Musashi said to grab the sword directly under the tsuba, making cutting much more easier.

[DigitalDowntown]

Musashi's own two sword style obviously made use of single handed swinging. As far as the jodan stuff goes, I could see warriors using one arm for the added reach. The goal was to end it with just the one swing after all, at least in regards to a dual. It's not like the swordsman would have needed to move into a defensible posture after splitting his opponents melon in two.

This really is a question for knowledgeable historians to chime in on. I certainly don't know.