The Katana - A Symbol of Time and Tradition

 

The katana is among the most iconic weapons in Japanese martial arts, and its popularity has extended to pop culture. Beatrix Kiddo slaughters Crazy 88 with her katana in Kill Bill Vol 1, Samurai Shinzaemon slices through a small town of invaders in 13 Assassins, and Deadpool turns a goon into a shish kebab in his first proper outing on the big screen. But there is more to the katana than its action movie fame. It is a symbol of time and tradition, of discipline and respect for the martial art in which it is used. And as such, it has a lot to teach us about the way of the warrior.

Throughout history the forging technique of Katana, called Tatarabuki, was developed by blacksmiths who sought to achieve three highly sought-after qualities: to not break, not bend and have a razor sharp cutting edge. To accomplish these goals they would perform purification rituals before forging a new sword and ask the benevolent spirits for assistance with the creation process.

This combination of qualities made katana unique, but it was also a very dangerous weapon that required a special kind of warrior. To wield a katana you needed to be able to move in and out of the shadows, to blend with your opponent and use your body as a weapon. But you also had to be able to read your enemy, know what the best attack or defense was and how to utilize your sword to its full potential. It was not for the faint of heart or weak of spirit, and only the strongest and most determined were able to master it.

One of the biggest factors in being able to wield a katana was gripping it properly. Having a firm and solid grip on your sword increases its overall power, speed, and efficiency as you slice through the air and into your target. This is especially important when you’re practicing against a sparring partner as it helps you deflect hits and keep yourself safe.

When you’re gripping your katana correctly, it should be in the middle of your dominant and nondominant hands with a slight forward tilt (ten uchi). This position allows you to cut through any obstacle in front of you while being able to move your arms and strike from different angles simultaneously. It also maximizes the amount of cutting surface that passes over your target, which improves test cutting results as it reveals the true power of the blade.

Another important aspect to remember is that you should never point the blade at your head or feet. This puts your body at unnecessary risk of injury. Instead, when you swing your katana, point it closer to the side of the target where you’re making the cut. This will help you keep control of your sword and stay safe while you’re working up to striking from a distance. As you continue to practice, you’ll eventually be able to strike at full force while keeping control of your sword.