EDGED ETTIQUETTE

“An armed society is a polite society. Manners are good when one may have to back up his acts with his life.”

― Robert A. Heinlein, Beyond This Horizon

In the Aikido dojo the sword is the soul of the samurai and that spirit remains salient.  Even a bokken (wooden sword) should be handled as the symbolic representation of a shinken (live blade).

When sitting in a line, place the sword on your right with the blade facing you. This demonstrates a lack of hostile intent because drawing the sword from that position is awkward. When seated alone, position the sword with the blade on the left and edge facing away from your body for rapid deployment.

A samurai was always prepared for violence and never appeared unarmed even in times of peace. The katana and wakizashi were part of daily dress. I encourage an alert reader to consider the modern corollary to this practice. Violent encounters are always possible and you do not chose when, where, how or by how many. It is your moral duty to be prepared for and defend against the possibility of violence.

It is frequently said that the sign of a samurai was his two swords, but this tradition was formalized only during the latter half of the sixteenth century. The term daisho refers specifically to wearing a katana and wakizashi and this practice is nothing more than common sense given a linguistic label. All warriors carry multiple weapons because you need redundancy when your life is on the line. A primary (long) weapon and a secondary (medium) is the minimum and a tertiary (short) weapon is advisable. Katana, wakazashi, tanto for the samurai – musket, rapier, main gauche for the musketeer. All warriors across cultures and through time live by the maximum that “two is one and one is none.” You can not rely on your primary weapon being sufficient. Murphy’s Law dictates that failure is imminent, so have a contingency plan.

The katana and wakizashi were worn thrust through the obi (belt), edge up on the left side (no warrior is left-handed so no one would carry their swords on the right side).[1] An indication of someone’s rank was based on how he wore his sword. One with rank and authority wore the katana almost horizontally (thus establishing his “personal space”). A more humble or lower ranking man wore his closer to his body, with the sheath nearly parallel to his leg. To clash the scabbard of another was often deemed an insult and could have been seen as a challenge to an immediate duel.[2]

Indications of violent intent – what modern combatives would call a “furtive move” – include: grasping the scabbard just behind the guard and pushing the guard forward with the thumb (breaking the “seal” on the scabbard); deliberately reaching across the body and grasping the hilt with one’s right hand but not actually drawing the blade; removing the cloth “sleeve” that travelers sometimes put over the hilt and guard to keep dust away; and pulling the scabbard forward but not quite out of the sash, so that the hilt is more accessible for a draw. Therefore handling weapons in the presence of another must be ritualized so as to make clear non-violent intent.

When handing over a sword, the person with superior status will use one hand, the inferior both. The blade is always properly oriented (i.e.; for a tachi, edge down; for a katana, edge up). A superior person grasps the sword palm down on the scabbard, near the middle, and hands it over horizontally; the recipient receives it in both open palms, one at the hilt and one near the foot. If an inferior hands one over, it is palms up, under the hilt and foot; the recipient grasps it, palm down, at the center-point. This is similar for all weapons, as well, be they firearms, spears, or blades.

When handing over an unsheathed sword (e.g., for inspection), one should grasp the sword in one hand at the very base of the hilt, holding the sword upright with the edge toward the one offering the sword. The recipient grasps the hilt directly below the guard; this puts him in a position to cut right down and take your arm off. That is the idea. It should be returned the same way. One thing implied in this is respect for the person receiving the sword; one is putting him in the dominant position, saying, “I trust you.”

Master Keating wrote a good article on general weapon etiquette that I have copied here:

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Many times in the past I remember my instructor in the sword arts cautioning me to handle swords and knives with proper etiquette. I was advised to only pull them partially from the scabbards and to admire them from there If I did feel the inclination to fully reveal he blade I was told to ask permission. I have always held this knowledge dear to my heart.

Manners and etiquette are part of any weapon bearing culture. A man can be judged by how he handles (or mishandles) a weapon. Each culture has its own beliefs and reasons for how they handle a knife. Some make sense and others are down right baffling. I have listed some blade etiquette practices from around the world for you to be aware of. By refining your sensitivity to the cutlery customs of the world you will find that you gain insight into yourself.

Never touch the knife of another without first getting permission. Many people feel that to touch a man’s knife without consent is an insult or the act of a fool. If you are allowed to touch the knife you must never touch the blade, this is a rule you must not violate!  Keep you fingers away from and off the blade! Never twirl or make movie style slashing motions with the knife. Handle it gently, admire the edge with your eyes, appreciate its fit and finish with kind words to the owner. Knives can be dangerous, act like a gentleman at all times and you can avoid the hassles that plague others.

Some knives are tailor-made to specific measurements and can only be judged by their makers and owners. Never be too quick with a derogatory comment about another man’s knife. For you his knife may miss the mark by a long shot, but for him the knife is perfect. Watch what you say or run the risk of appearing the amateur in the eyes of other men. Most makers and knife people do not mind if you ask questions about their knife. It’s the backward comments from those individuals who lack knife etiquette that cause the hackles to stand up on a man’s neck.

Even at the dinner table we find the aspects of American cutlery customs. When set properly, the silverware is laid out in a specific manner. The knife should have the edge turned in toward the plate. This shows the guest who is savvy in edged etiquette that you welcome their presence at your table. It also keeps the edge of a truly sharp knife away from the hand of your guest for safety reasons. If the knife is laid with the edge outward it can mean that while the guest is allowed to sit at the table they are really not welcome. In such an instance, the guest should eat, thank his hosts, and leave promptly.

The act of drawing certain blades can lead to consequences that you may be unprepared to meet. In some cultures it is thought that if you pull a knife it must draw blood before it can be resheathed. Some people adhere to this custom as odd as it may seem to you.  If they are adamant about it, then you must be ready to nick your finger or such. It’s no big deal, but it can surprise people not accustomed to living around sharpened steel.

When handing a knife to someone else always make sure to hand the knife butt (handle) first If the knife is not in its sheath do not allow the knife to cut you as it is being passed from hand to hand. Whenever a knife is being passed around the group of people watch your feet.  If the knife is dropped you can get a nasty wound. Keep the kids, dogs, and non blade-people away.

There you have it. I hope this short piece can make a positive difference in your life. By learning and practicing some of these customs used by professional knifemen and edged weapons handlers you can move with ease at the next knife show or rendezvous. You will find acceptance from other men and experience the positive common bond we all share in our fascination of all things steel.

Until next time…stay sharp!

James A. Keating

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Although I was taught proper Japanese etiquette, I admit to being a bit of an iconoclast, often eschewing or flouting the prescribed norms. Primarily because I don’t like the artificial barriers that rigid adherence creates. I prefer a less formal, more familiar, environment to foster trust. But I do want everyone to clearly know the rules so as to always be respectful as a guest in someone else’s house (dojo). Never be a buffoon.  Know the rules and know when (or if) it is safe to bend them.

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[1] The left handed warrior has a tactical advantage.  Just look to modern fencing bouts.  Statistically left-handedness is far less common and therefore a right-handed warrior facing a left-handed would be facing an unfamiliar opponent.  Whereas a left-handed warrior has trained against right-handed all his life.  The left hand – in Latin, left = sinister, which now is “malicious, underhanded.”  Underhanded, the left hand holds the dagger, the sinister, and it is the dagger that kills.  The dexter “right” hand wields the sword which is eminently visible.

[2] Dueling cultures require holding honor dear – a very archaic concept. In modern societies, honor refers primarily to a form of social status that attaches to integrity and sound character. But honor has an older meaning still found among some groups today—a form of social status founded on the willingness and ability to use force. Hence the importance of the duel. An honorable man will not hesitate to use physical force to combat any assault, theft, insult, or other attempt at subordination of himself or his group (family, gang, or nation). For honor, unlike the more stable value of dignity, can be won or lost. Honor rises and falls when one man (or group) publicly challenges the willingness of another to physically defend himself, his intimates, or his property and hence his right to be treated as an equal. To uphold his honor a man need not beat his opponent, but he must display a willingness to fight him. Honor-based cultures are far from uniform, but share basic characteristics: honor is a central source of status;  and honor cultures are typically antipathetic to law and legal officials (a man must stand up for himself and not rely on others to do so).  Hence an armed society must be a polite society: a society where honor, self-reliance, and respect are primary determinations of status requires being prepared at all times to defend one’s position by feat of arms – a duel.