For clarity, the customs common to all Japanese arts have been omitted, such as the gesture of respect towards the weapon or the knot in the "hakama" (samurai pants). Where not specified, "art form", "art" and "form" refer to the use of a Japanese sword.
Steps
Step 1. Choose an art form
Since everyone has their own fighting preferences, you need to find a form that suits you. In case you are unfamiliar with Japanese martial arts, here are the most popular ones:
- Kenjutsu: training with katana and other weapons (depending on the school) for combat.
- Iaijutsu / battojutsu for combat. Used to eliminate an opponent during or immediately after the sword is drawn.
- Kendo: the art of Japanese fencing. It is fought with shinai and armor.
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Iaido / battodo: art of drawing the sword.
Use a Katana Properly Step 1Bullet4 - Almost all forms of art will have a different style. Again, find the one that suits you best.
Step 2. Get the necessary equipment
It may vary depending on the art. Common weapons are:
- Shinai: bamboo swords for kendo, made of branches tied together. Used in kenjutsu, where a bokken would be too dangerous, or in kendo.
- Bokken: wooden training sword, similar to a katana / wakizashi. Safe alternative to a royal sword. The most used weapon in kenjutsu.
- Tanto: Japanese dagger 15-30cm long.
- Wakizashi: small sword, 45 to 60cm long.
- Katana: a sword about one meter long.
- Ninjato: cousin of the katana, but with a straight blade.
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Nodachi / Odachi: a very long katana, about 80-150cm!
Use a Katana Properly Step 2Bullet7
Step 3. Find some books
After you have found your art form and recovered the necessary equipment, find relevant books and do some research. Books should only be used UNITED to the assistance of a qualified teacher! Trying to learn the techniques on your own is highly discouraged, as you risk learning the wrong basics.
Step 4. Find a sensei (teacher)
It is not possible to learn well without guidance. Find a school where you can learn the art you have chosen.
Step 5. Train
Do the assigned exercises until you are smooth and effective. If necessary, find a partner. Then, if allowed, move on to the next ones. But don't forget what you have learned.
Step 6. Get real (or better) weapons
When you feel confident, get better weapons (which usually involve increased danger).
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Choosing a katana:
Use a Katana Properly Step 6Bullet1 - The choice of a katana is above all a matter of preference: some prefer a heavier katana, while others prefer a lighter one, and the same goes for the length. Ask a more experienced classmate or your sensei where to buy your katana.
- Use the internet and discover the various parts of the katana and how it is made, to be able to distinguish the quality of the various swords.
- Choose a tip ("kissaki") suitable for the sword. Different limbs require different tip sizes. Discover the one that suits your art form. Common spikes are o-kissaki, chu-kissaki and Kk-kissaki, meaning large, medium and small respectively. Tip size can usually be determined with a quick look at the blade. Point the tip upwards, and look at the sword from the side. Notice how the blade tightens at the end, and forms an angle with the relatively straight part of the blade. If the angle is greater than 45 °, it is usually o-kissaki. If the angle is around 45 °, it will be chu-kissaki, and so on for the Kk-kissaki tip.
- Choose a suitable curvature (“sori”). The requirements for blade curvature vary from shape to shape. It depends not only on the degree of curvature, but also on the positioning of the deepest part of the curve with respect to the handle or tip.
- Choose a model. By model we mean the aesthetics of the sword. Believe it or not, aesthetics affect use. Choose a sword that reflects your tastes, but not too much to be overprotective. Choosing an ugly sword could lead you to become disinterested in your weapon.
- The only thing that should be cut with a katana nowadays are the training materials. The techniques will be taught in kenjutsu and iaijutsu classes, but to my knowledge they are not taught in kendo.
Advice
- The katana is not made to block, and could break on impact, due to the steel edge. The only way to damage the blade is to use it to block a shot. The block with the katana is done via the back of the blade. It is better to move away from the trajectory of the blow. You should try to use it to parry a blow and let it slip away instead of trying to stop it in one stroke with the blade - this is where your katana will be most damaged if you are not careful. For each type of shot, there is an adequate defense.
- Swerve. Not everything is engraved in stone. If you find something particularly uncomfortable, experiment until you find what fits you, but don't stray too far from the starting position.
- The bokken is a very effective training tool. It will really facilitate the use of a real sword in many cases.
- A good extraction of a blade will make no noise. On the contrary, a wrong extraction will make all kinds of sounds. Use a new sword or technique until the scabbard is as good as new. The biggest mistake in the extraction of the weapon consists in moving upwards during the exit, as it tends to cut the scabbard.
- Take your time. Hurrying from one technique and one form to another without having fully understood the concepts will lead to a multitude of problems. Cutting quickly is nowhere near as critical as doing it correctly.
- Hold the sword properly. The right hand (or the dominant one) should be right under the Tsuba (guard) and the left (or the opposite) should be as far from the right as possible. The smaller fingers should have a greater grip, gradually decreasing the pressure so that the index finger is relaxed on the handle, without exercising any grip. When slashing a blow, the left hand should pull while the right should lead the left. By swinging the blade, increase your grip by turning your hands on the handle that holds it in place. When done right, it will create a tearing and cutting motion at the same time.
- A groove ("hi") in the sword will make it lighter, although it can compromise integrity on an incorrectly executed cut. The groove is due to the removal of part of the material.
- After using your sword, it is recommended to rub it with a clean cloth and apply a light layer of oil. Traditionally, you can use choji oil (clove), but mineral oil will also be fine. A couple of drops on a clean cloth are ideal - you shouldn't soak the katana. Be careful - concentrate well and continue any conversations after you are done. People will understand.
- Look for someone to practice with, it is very useful for training.
- Becoming truly proficient in any form of art takes much more than 50 years. Be patient if you really intend to learn.
Warnings
- Don't try to "catch" a sword as it falls. If you have the misfortune of dropping your blade, take a quick step back - it could bounce in any direction. If you try to catch a sword as it falls, you may then need help picking up your fingers from the ground.
- Do not buy "stainless steel" katana. They are usually decorative and fragile, which makes them potentially dangerous to anyone who comes within range when (and sure will) break. If you have to buy one, make sure it is made of carbon steel.
- Real swords are capable of completely destroying other weapons. Usually, any cut of a katana is fatal. Don't use a real katana to train unless you and your partner are professionals, or want to die.
- Do not attack except in defense, in which case the subsequent murder (on your part) may be justified. Use common sense.
- Don't provoke or threaten others with your art. Aside from the fact that the threat could constitute a crime, many others are experts, or even more skilled than you, in more dangerous arts. Teasing is usually bad for your health. Put simply, don't be cool just because you have a sword.
- Check your sword! In case of damaged parts, ask someone with an expert to check it. If you don't know anyone, write to some local expert and ask for help. You will not be able to stop a sword coming off the handle.
- Swords must be registered and a gun license is required. Consult a lawyer before buying real guns.
- Do not learn an art for revenge or to perform violent acts. It's a total disgrace, and you won't have the expertise of real students.
- Never, under any circumstances, buy a real weapon if you don't know how to handle it correctly. A weapon, even if it is yours, can easily be used against you if you are not skilled enough.
- NEVER use your swords to see if they can cut anything. Trust me: I can. This applies to milk cartons, food, bricks, cans, branches and any other items they have been tried on. There are 2 reasons: first, a patchy cut will irreparably ruin your blade, and secondly, a mistake can lead to you losing a finger or seriously injuring yourself before you even notice the blood. Even masters sometimes get into trouble, but to minimize the possibility of injury and maximize the life of your sword, only cut materials created specifically for training.
- It is not recommended to practice any martial art in case of drug use, illness, syndromes or handicap.
- Don't learn on your own. A learning error can create a snowball effect, making the use of your art potentially dangerous especially for yourself.
