I’m sorry but my article on eastern swords suffered the fate of “experiencing technical difficulties” Indefinitely If any of you would like to read it I would be glad to get you a hard copy.
In other news I was thinking that since we have a new interest in sword fitting Gryphon could do something on the art of drawing and I could do one on some practical sword fighting.
Input please.
Man that absolutely stinks!I feel for you.But yeah, I will definitely do my best.
ReplyDeleteLet us begin!
ReplyDeleteAhem
The Iaijutsu(art of drawing, or way of immediate reaction in a clear mind) is a extremely analyzed form of fighting and the form MUST be perfect in order for it to be used to it's optimal effect.
The Bugei Ryuha Daijiten outlines the Art of Drawing as "split second attainment of a target,a swift drawing of the Sword,a deft stroke through the opponents center of mass,a strong continuing cut,a subtle cleaning of the blade,and a smooth return to the sheath.All this must be done without the loss of continuity or mind in the Iaido(draw cut)."
I know this is a long winded translation but it is accurate.This is a true art form, in the sense that it takes years to master and the draw cut must be used in special circumstances.The Art of Iaijutsu is not to be confused with Kendo(way of the sword),Iaijutsu is the ONLY Japanese jutsu that utilizes a sheath and REAL swords not bamboo practice swords.The Iado also became popular when Zen was introduced into the Samurai repository of religions.(seriously!Shinto,Buddhism,and Confucianism....very religous people the samurai)Because Zen became sort of the espirit de corps of the Samurai the samurai created a special cut that stressed it's tenets:clarity of mind,physical concentration,and a crescendo of intent.
A person that uses Iaido must be trained in absolute precision.First their is the rituals involved in it,they are not NEEDED but they greatly increase the prestige of the "performance",second there is the position,which is extremely important in order to get a clean cut through the body.Now we get to the good stuff.The cut begins with the drawing of the sword(well duh!)but it is harder than you may think,pulling a razor sharp Katana out of a heavy and rather cumbersome sheath without gutting yourself is rather difficult;without a smooth exit out of the Sheath the Iaido falls flat.The next stroke requires enormous discipline,A diagonal cut through the shoulder or lower stomach.(depending on the position relative to the target)this stroke requires great accuracy,if the blade is not correctly positioned it can not get through the hip bone(too low) or spinal column(too deep).Strength applied to the proper areas of the hilt creates a slashing movement through the center mass,ruining any internal organs it comes into contact with.The exit is the most important part, if not done correctly,the sword is ruined in the body and the victim has a chance to take a unprotected shot at his opponent.In order to avoid this messy proposition the user must "ride" the "flow" of his cut and apply the greatest amount of energy to break through the final stretch of flesh and bone.(a difficult act after using most of ones energy to get to the point one is on now.)The exit is hard to control,after putting all the energy into the exit it is hard to keep the Sword from flying out of one's hand.A wielder utilizes a classic halt form to stop the swords advance.Then in a maneuver unique to Iaijutsu the swordsmen must deftly "flick" his blade to clean the blood off.Then in a whirl of motion one sheaths it back into it's sheath.(EXTREMELY hard to do without committing seppeku.)This is just the BASIC kata,The advanced forms are true artistry.
I hope this satisfactory to everyone I tried to go into as much detail as possible.
first off, what technical difficulties?? And that was a very long description on how to kill someone the right way. sounds like it would hurt.
ReplyDeleteNot bad,Gryph. I'm actually impressed. I can't wait to see Rennuke's post.
ReplyDeletehahaha!You know what Twilight Shadow I agree with you!
ReplyDeleteBut perhaps you are right I did kinda draw out it out.(The proper Iaido takes just 5 seconds average.)I just wanted everyone to get the feel of how it was not a habber-basher sword swinging contest.
P.S:Hunter your acknowledgment and good critique is the icing on my journalistic cake.(But be careful you may ruin your image)(And I can not wait for the Metis Imperator's essay as well:)
OOPS!I also wanted to clarify on the "sword flick"I mentioned.The Katana was usually so smooth and sharp that any liquid could easily be wiped off,But to halt the continuity of the Iaido to wipe off ones blade before sending it into ones sheath(and thereby smudging the blade with blood) would be sacrilege.So the experts developed a move where one would rotate ones wrist in a quick motion and the blood would fly right off.
ReplyDeleteP.S:I would definitely like to get my hands on one your hard copies Rennuke!
ReplyDeleteThe technical difficulties are that I wrote the post around some pitchers I got offline but I put them in a Microsoft Word doc and could not figure out how to get them back out in a readable format.
ReplyDeleteWell Gryphon you set some hi standards with that last one but I will make a valiant effort to equal it Well here it goes…
ReplyDeleteO_o......
ReplyDelete.........
.........
Man this had better be good to make me wait like this. He lift us with a cliff hanger.
Thank-you
ReplyDeleteI'n credibole
ReplyDeleteVallient nothing.
ReplyDeleteGrypon, lord of estern sords , I would speck ferther to you when you have time.
ReplyDelete