"There are other schools that have a fondness for extra-long swords. From the point of view of my martial art, I see them as weak schools. This is because they do not appreciate the principle of cutting the enemy by any means. Their preference is  for the extra-long sword and, relying on the virtue of its length, they think to defeat the enemy from a distance. It is difficult for these people to cut the enemy when at close quarters because of the length of the longsword. The blade path is large so the long sword is an encumbrance, and they are at a disadvantage compared to the man armed with a short companion sword."
-Miyamoto Musashi