As we all know, Ryo gets the Sword Handguard in Chapter 1, which turns out to be a key to the hidden basement in the Hazuki Dojo, as is the sword that's locked away safely infront of the entrance. First time I played it, as I'm sure many of you did, I naturally assumed that the handguard was supposed to be combined with the sword, point-and-click-adventure style, but it doesn't fit...
Now, Oishi (the antique guy who gives you the Sword Handguard) says it's been passed down through the family from generation to generation. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that it's most probably a unique family heirloom, and with it being in the design of the Hazuki family crest too, that also suggests that it was handcrafted, likely making it unique. One of a kind. Else... it wouldn't be so special, would it?
In some sort of psychic flashback towards the end of the game, Ryo has visions of his father training in the dojo (or in the black abyss, can't remember tbh) with a sword. A sword that bears the same Sword Handguard that seems to be important enough to be carried over into Shenmue II. The thing is though, this sword cannot be the same one that is found in the Hazuki Dojo, because as we've already established, the handguard doesn't fit. The flashback is not of a young, globe-trotting Iwao either, his appearance clearly shows that he is of an age where Ryo has been born. This means that the same sword cannot possibly be something he left in Guilin or Kowloon or any of the other places he's said to have been.
So this begs the question... where's the fucking sword?
A simple explanation would just be that it doesn't matter. It has no significance whatsoever, and time constraints/budgeting issues meant that they just used the models that were available to create a scene that Yu Suzuki thought would be cool. Would such a detail-heavy story/game do such a thing though? I mean, the photo of Iwao found in the basement doesn't look hand drawn. A hand drawn concept already exists, so it's clear that a model of a younger Iwao has been created. Why not just use that model?
Now let's look at the inaccessible areas of the Hazuki Residence... the shed and behind the dojo. That's it. Unless Iwao's hidden it in the fucking pond or the bushes or some shit, I'm quite certain that it isn't on the premises. Where the hell could it be then? And why do I think it's so important.
Well, in an interview with Suzuki and some other guy, probably a coder or designer or summat, it was revealed that developing Shenmue for the Dreamcast (I'm not gonna get into the whole "intended for Saturn or DC?" thing) became a no-brainer so that they could program the sword fight. The way this guy talked about it (or mentioned, at least) made it seem an important part of the game. Some epic final battle with Lan Di? The introduction of Ziming? Who the fuck knows. The point is, it was important enough to be one of the decisive factors in developing Shenmue for the Dreamcast system, so that's saying a lot.
One thing we don't know is if Ryo's actually had any training with a sword. If he did though, surely the Hazukis would need to have more than one. I mean, what the fuck's he gonna do? Have a fencing session using one of Ine-san's brooms? Assuming he has had at least a little training though, that would mean that there's definitely another knocking about somewhere. And on top of that, why the fuck doesn't the one locked away have a handguard?
Another simple explanation is that the sword became worn down or broke or some other easy way to get out of it. Does Iwao seem like the type of guy to neglect maintaining a sword then throw it in the bin when it finally snaps? No, didn't think so.
With not much to go on, there's probably not a whole lot to discuss regarding this, but I thought it's interesting enough anyway. Maybe Shengoro or Kiyuu or someone else may know something or have an inkling. Maybe it can be explained with a brief "he gave it to a museum". Maybe it's time I went to bed. Only one certainty lies within this topic though...
I want to know what the fucking deal is with this sword and why the other one has no bleedin handguard.
Discus.
