How to Fight With a Samurai Sword

The samurai sword is one of the most famous ancient weapons in history, utilized by the dangerous and noble samurai warriors. Featuring a long blade, the sword can be a very powerful and dangerous weapon in the hands of a skilled practitioner. Before learning the advanced techniques of offense and defense, however, a beginning samurai practitioner must first learn how to properly deliver the basic horizontal, vertical and diagonal strikes which can then be used to build a full arsenal of attacks.

Instructions

    • 1

      Hold the samurai sword with your dominant hand gripping just below the guard, and your non-dominant hand gripping the bottom of the handle.

    • 2

      Stand with your hands low, and the blade angled up and pointed between the eyes of your opposition to take the ready position before attempting to throw a strike.

    • 3

      Use your bottom hand to drive the blade into position to throw a strike. For a vertical or diagonal blow, the lower hand must push out as the arms go up to drive the blade back and cock it. For a horizontal slash, the bottom hand must push out as the top hand comes back and to the side to bring the sword out to the side.

    • 4

      Step forward with the foot which matches the hand closest to the guard while driving the blade straight down to perform a vertical slash.

    • 5

      Bring the blade slightly to the side of your head, then step forward with the foot on the same side as you offset the blade to while striking down and across your body to perform a diagonal slash.

    • 6

      Step forward with the foot which corresponds with the side you brought the blade to while swinging the blade horizontal to the ground to perform a horizontal slash.