The katana is a mirror, it reflects back the truth about the warrior who holds it.
Many students enter the dojo seeking the way of the sword.
Ever present in movies and digital media the perception of the blade is different than the reality.
Few continue past this point when dreams die and the reality of what the sword demands is revealed.
Maybe one in a thousand make it it past this illusion and are now confronted by the truth, standing at the martial gate (bumon) ready to take that step through it.
What does stepping through this gate look like compared to what self elevated kensei share and post for views?
Not long ago a true sword school would require and introduction to be let in and allowed to train.
The existence of the school was not necessarily secret, but it was not promoted or advertised either, reputation and word of mouth is what elevated the school, not YouTube shorts. Some schools had a public name and once inside a private name- the real name.
Not so much secrecy, but lack of visibility is what kept you alive.
Outside of a very controlled New Year’s day embu or other auspicious day, little would be publicly shown outside of the dojo.
The old masters would think people crazy for all the shares, likes, and views.
Did you have that introduction?
All schools require an introduction, for some it will require a personal one, for others it’s how you conduct yourself and present yourself when visiting the dojo.
For sword school nothing changes no matter the year.
If admitted, your first few classes will be extremely boring and have you wondering where the kenjutsu is.
How to fold your uniform, how to wear your uniform, how to fold a sword belt (obi), how to wear one.
How you bow with the sword.
How you stand and hold the sword with it at your side.
How you pass the sword to another person.
How you place the sword on the stand.
How you wrap it in the bag.
This has everything to do with kenjutsu and often serves as a filter regarding new students.
There is a saying in the dojo: the first lesson is the most important lesson, and this is true for the lessons of these first few months.
Attention to these details, not obsessing over them, but practicing them and making them automatic build a focus on attention, an awareness of the sword, awareness of certain things, things that will serve as the foundation for later in training.
Understanding these details also means things run smoothly and with harmony in the dojo, harmony being an important tempering point in the training.
It also means you fit in and have a common culture for the tradition.
Should we delve into a more specific example?
You are dressed in your training uniform- a hakama and dogi top. The teacher is demonstrating a technique, showing something about the sword in the center of the dojo as you and the other students watch.
Your wooden training sword (bokken) is held in your right hand- why?
When the teacher finishes demonstrating the technique and gives the signal to pair up and practice, you pass the sword from your right hand to your left hand- why?
Not understanding and training in these mechanics puts you at a disadvantage when compared to modern invented schools.
Do you know why?
Schools will use different terminology for the same things depending on the history of the school and the timer period it operated or operates in. For this discussion there is batto- the ability to draw out the sword and cut while bringing it into a posture.
Drawing the sword is done with it on the left side using the right hand.
When you are holding the sword in your right hand this is signaling intention and awareness that you are not going to draw the sword. Holding the sword in your left hand, with right hand free puts forth a different intention.
It both demonstrates and shows a level of respect of what the sword can do, and what its nature is.
Being mindful of this cultivates a certain awareness.
All these little things are there to cultivate the warrior and are done for specific reasons.
A good dojo will instruct you in all of them.
These little things also serve as an important passport for when you meet other students and teachers from different ryu.
How you conduct yourself serves as the introduction.
All this before we even get to “sword fighting”, but with the eye to see and the heart to understand one is learning sword fighting from day one.
If you are determined to follow the way of the sword, don’t take any shortcuts and commit the entire path.
In a ryu there is a reason for everything.