captaintau Posted October 23, 2008 Thanks so much for sharing that martial arts knowledge of yours, Captain Tau. Intrigued by you tip about the katana rack, I went on to run a few google searches on the topic only to find a good number of conflicting statements! Even I myself wonder whether that technicality is dictated by one's manual dexterity, for a left handed daimyo lord it might be easier to draw as is. Your logic seems sound, but is flawed. There weren't any left-handed daimyo (or any other rank). The Japanese are a very organised and regimental race. Probably less so now than then. Left-handedness simply wasn't tollerated. Swords were always worn at the left hip. This meant that those wearing swords knew how to pass each other by (right side top right side) without their tsuka clashing. If they did then that would be taken as an insult or a threat and a duel would have to ensue. Throughout the Japanese Martial Arts today, you'll see that all bar one aspect is done ambidextrously (probably thanks to Professor Kano of Judo, Professor Funakoshi of Karate and O-Sensei of Aikido.) The one notable exception is sword work (and other weapons, such as, I think, naginata). All sword work is done right handed. Always. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
