My MA teacher informed the class the other day that there were no left handed sword fighters in Japan. He stated that being left handed at the time was illegal. Thats fine and I have no problem accepting that. Before I became aware of this, I picked up a practice sword and was promptly informed that I was holding it wrong because I was using my left hand. Why does that mean that no one can practice left handed now? Just in case you were wondering, I am indeed left handed. It just seems to make sense to use the hand that has more strength and coordination to wield a weapon. Ideally, I suppose I would try to train w/ both hands. I have been doing that with the staff lately, but dont tell anyone.
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No Left Handed Sword Fighters?
- Thread starter Elwin
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This seems kind of strange considering that Musashi was known for fighting with a sword in each hand.
(Probably after he saw some Portugese swordsmen fighting Florentine!)
I wouldn't be too awfully surprised to find that it was true at some time though. The Japanese had some very odd, but very definite ideas on what was fair play (Honorable) and what was foul.
In Western arts, the left handed swordsman was a man to be feared. It's very difficult to fight someone from the right hand when they're coming in left handed. It screws up the distances and the openings. One could presume that the Left Hander would be used to this, giving a possibly decisive advantage.
The European solution of course, was to use a blade in each hand. Perhaps this was Musashi's motivation/inspiration. We'll never know.
(Probably after he saw some Portugese swordsmen fighting Florentine!)
I wouldn't be too awfully surprised to find that it was true at some time though. The Japanese had some very odd, but very definite ideas on what was fair play (Honorable) and what was foul.
In Western arts, the left handed swordsman was a man to be feared. It's very difficult to fight someone from the right hand when they're coming in left handed. It screws up the distances and the openings. One could presume that the Left Hander would be used to this, giving a possibly decisive advantage.
The European solution of course, was to use a blade in each hand. Perhaps this was Musashi's motivation/inspiration. We'll never know.
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Given that by nature a katana is a 2-handed weapon, you would want to use your stronger hand to empower the cut. Ironically enough, this is accomplished by using the sword "righty."
I am left handed in some operations, and it is my stronger. But when I was in swordsmanship, I was right handed and only right handed.
Here's the thing...when the kat is used as it was designed to be, your right hand is the first hand that grips, just below the tsuba and fuchi. Your left hand grips nearer the kashira. Your left hand, however, is the hand that provides the majority of the power of the cut (primarily the last 2 fingers on your left hand).
I am left handed in some operations, and it is my stronger. But when I was in swordsmanship, I was right handed and only right handed.
Here's the thing...when the kat is used as it was designed to be, your right hand is the first hand that grips, just below the tsuba and fuchi. Your left hand grips nearer the kashira. Your left hand, however, is the hand that provides the majority of the power of the cut (primarily the last 2 fingers on your left hand).
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- Oct 25, 1999
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where i have trained .. always righty.
and as said .. it is simply because of tradition, but when used correctly the katana is driven with the force of the left hand .. and the right is simply there to guide or control the katana's strike.
im ambidextrous, which posed an even more confusing situation to my brain.
holding the sword with the right hand prompted my brain to use it with my right hand... but really .. i wanted to still be using it with my left for the power.
it took me a while before i figured how to uncross my wires.
D.
and as said .. it is simply because of tradition, but when used correctly the katana is driven with the force of the left hand .. and the right is simply there to guide or control the katana's strike.
im ambidextrous, which posed an even more confusing situation to my brain.
holding the sword with the right hand prompted my brain to use it with my right hand... but really .. i wanted to still be using it with my left for the power.
it took me a while before i figured how to uncross my wires.
D.
- Joined
- Jan 14, 2002
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- 135
Hi,
Many of the surviving western sword manuals have passages on how to fight against left handers. Quite simply, it is horrible to fence with any weapon against these guys. All the stuff that is usually quite safe just isn't.
They are used to fighting against you, but you are not against them. I fight about half my assaults against a left hander at the moment and can keep him in check at single rapier but he leaves me for dead with my mouth hanging open at backsword.
Solution to your problem? Give up Kabbage Kutters and take up historical western fencing. No more bowing, no more Kata. Just combat.
Cheers
Stu.
Many of the surviving western sword manuals have passages on how to fight against left handers. Quite simply, it is horrible to fence with any weapon against these guys. All the stuff that is usually quite safe just isn't.
They are used to fighting against you, but you are not against them. I fight about half my assaults against a left hander at the moment and can keep him in check at single rapier but he leaves me for dead with my mouth hanging open at backsword.
Solution to your problem? Give up Kabbage Kutters and take up historical western fencing. No more bowing, no more Kata. Just combat.
Cheers
Stu.
I think the school of swordfighting we use predates Musashi. However, I still have not come up w/ an answer to "why a man should die w/ one of his swords still sheathed is a mystery to me" or something like that. If you have two swords, might as well use 'em.