My roommate practices Iaido and has been to competition, so I know a good deal about the history from him (although I've personally spent time reading stuff like Hagakure, and I want to get to the Book of Five Rings sometime.) He told me that the grip on the katana in KF doesn't look right, haha... me, I practice bojutsu (although I haven't had much in the way of formal training).
As for the "heavens" thing, it's a samurai thing. They're very poetic people. d:
Fall damage and magic syringe aside, when you use two swords you drastically reduce the power and control that you have. A lot of the uses for two swords are for parrying (which you never do in KF) and attacking on multiple sides (which isn't terribly practical in an FPS). Dual machetes would be way more practical largely from a gameplay standpoint IMO.
Have I actually wielded two katana? No. I've held and practiced with one because I'm at the skill level where I'm comfortable with one. I know better than to try to do an advanced style beyond my capabilities because you can very easily lose some digits or cut yourself very badly.
I'm surprised you don't complain about the incorrect swing they employ in the game. The illustrated arc and angle of cut is completely inefficient and I doubt it would have the momentum to slice through any body. In a way, it would have similar effect when you swing with a correct arc with one hand. With two hands you will have more push, but cutting is not pushing. Couple one handed cut is not a problem. Just the repetition of quality cut builds up lactic acid and makes the swing eventually weaker. Of course, one handed swings are effective you use the te no uichi. No ki ken tai ichi, no zanshin, no chudan no kamae. But Iaido doesn't use those except ki ken tai ichi. And ki ken tai ichi is the more important part of any strike.
Also, what is the practicality of attacking multiple targets with the katana?
The qualifying idealism in the Japanese art is 1 strike 1 kill; not multipe strikes, 1 kill. Battle time practicality can't be really fully described with just the knowledge of iaido. Kenjutsu is more suited for that scenario.
If a katana's well balanced and your grip is right below the tsuba, I think it could be viable if you have developed muscles for it. Admittedly, as you mentioned, it will be sluggish and you would be crazy to use 2 katana against a guy wielding 1 katana with 2 hands.
Anybody can be poetic. Japan just had the blessing of the isolationism from its insular nature. Where do you think Japan got bulk of its culture?
Incoporating poetry in vernacular was a must for people of knowledge in the ancient times - European countries included! This also applies to China and Korea. Why did this died off...Korea was annexed by Japan and its culture was nye eradicated. China became Red China.
w00tmonger: the blatant shameless bit applies to all countries. The difference is how it's expressed. The thing is...for some reason Japan gets the spotlight with much of Western audience. I've seen maybe 3 or 4 and heard just as many cases in which Caucasian Japanophiles go a step too far. This is not including numerous 80's movies that came out distorting and even more deeply mystifying the Japanese culture. These folks act like they desire to be part of the Japanese culture.
So my point boils down to one thing. This game has no limitations against the use of the dual katana. And on a side note, my original comment was just a joke. It's already ridiculous how they look with one katana. Just imagine them holding 2. And why would they even use a katana? It's totally out of the picture. Axe: common item; chainsaw: common item; machete: could be army issued; guns: gun shop. katana: ????
It just irked me getting jumped on for an insane comment. Usually, people who practice Japanese sword martial arts do this. Hence my conjecture on your connection to iaido. This constant chafing is driving me crazy.
