Why Did Samurai Carry Two Swords?

A samurai wore two swords, and almost nobody can say why. Sophie follows the pair: the name it had, the law that made wearing both an identity card at the hip, the tachi that hung edge down and the katana that sat edge up, what the short one was for when the long one failed, the blade drawn inside Edo Castle in 1701, and the day in 1876 when both came off. Visiting Japan? The story, the places and the phrases you'll need: https://why-japan.com/two-swords/ Chapters 00:00 Why Two Swords? 00:31 The Pair Had a Name 01:09 Only a Samurai Could Wear Both 01:51 An Identity Card at the Hip 02:43 Before Edo: The Tachi 03:13 Edge Up: The Katana 04:07 When the Long One Fails 05:11 Set Down on the Right 05:58 Inside Edo Castle, 1701 07:03 A Blade Never Drawn 07:53 Outward and Inward 08:35 1876: Both Came Off 09:14 Two Selves Part of WHY JAPAN? by Sophie — a new question about Japan, every few days. #WhyJapan #Samurai #Katana #Japan #JapaneseHistory