Japanese samurai swords are works of art and objects of religious significance. It is important to treat them with respect and to follow proper etiquette. They should also be treated with care because of their potential to cause serious injury. Samarai Sword Site likens a katana sword to a 3-foot razor blade, and notes that no one should ever touch a samarai sword unless they are well versed in handling techniques.
Katana Sword Features And History
The katana is a type of curved samurai sword. With a minimum length of 2 feet, the katana is the largest samurai sword, and has historically been used for outdoor combat. According to Katana Swords, the katana is one of two swords customarily worn by the shogun, or most powerful samurai; the other is the shorter wakizashi The strict and highly ritualized etiquette rules surrounding katana swords are enmeshed with a samurai tradition in which a shogun had the right to kill anyone who displeased him or showed disrespect. Katana Swords notes the lurid fact that new blades of samurai swords were customarily tested on the bodies of corpses.
Guidelines for General Etiquette
Before handling a katana sword, you must request permission from the owner. When you receive the sword, you should show respect by bowing. After receiving the sword, you must again ask permission before withdrawing the blade. According to Montana Iron, there is a specific order in which you should compliment parts of the katana. You should first admire the koshirae -- the sword furnishings or fittings -- or any existing calligraphy on the saya, or scabbard (see References 3). Never make remarks that are less than complimentary unless you are specifically asked by the owner to discuss the blade's defects. Handmade Swords says that a katana should be stored in the best room in the home, and must be cleaned of dust daily. This cleaning -- to be performed only by the owner -- helps preserve the relationship between owner and sword.
Handling Katana Sword
The saya of a katana sword is often painstakingly polished and laquered, and should never be touched by your bare hand. According to Montana Iron, a gloved hand, cloth or rice paper are all appropriate barriers. It is permissible, however, to touch the tsuka -- or hilt of the sword -- with the bare hand. After requesting and receiving permission from the owner to withdraw the blade, you may unsheath it by holding the sword in the left hand and pulling it gently from the saya with the ha -- or cutting side -- facing up. When passing the sword to someone else, always keep the cutting edge toward yourself with the sword tip pointing upwards. When the person has received the sword, it is good etiquette for him to immediately turn the ha toward himself.
Safety Precautions
When traveling with a katana sword by automobile, Montana Iron recommends packing it perpendicular to the llne of travel so that it doesn't shoot forward in case of an accident. When extracting the sword from its saya, use extreme caution and pull the blade out slowly and carefully, making sure the cutting edge is not facing down or sideways. The website notes that giving a sharp pull may result in an uncontrollable jerking of the sword, leading to injury.
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