Sword Fighting with a Katana: Basic Techniques for Beginners

How to Hold a Katana the Right Way

Getting a grip on your katana is key to safe and effective practice. Traditionally, you hold the sword with both hands:

• Left hand should be placed on the end of the handle ( tsuka). Your little finger and ring finger should grip the handle tightly, while the other fingers can rest on it a bit more casually.
• Right hand should be positioned just above the guard ( tsuba), and all your fingers should apply equal grip strength.

Your grip should be firm but relaxed. This way, you can swing the sword smoothly and safely.

When you swing the katana, remember that the power comes from your hips, not just your arms - kind of like a golf swing! This makes the whole motion way less tiring.

You can find more useful tips on how to hold a katana properly in the following video:

Basic Combat Stances

The techniques known as kihon are the fundamentals - whether you’re an eager beginner or someone looking to tackle more advanced katana fighting techniques.

Basic stances:

• Chūdan-no-kamae: The katana is pointed directly at your opponent, and your eyes are locked on their every move. This stance sets you up perfectly for either an attack or defense.
• Jōdan-no-kamae: The katana is raised above your head, ready for a powerful downward strike.
• Gedan-no-kamae: The katana faces downwards. This stance is great for confusing your opponent or preparing for a counterattack.

Basic Attack Techniques (Cuts):

• Men: Aiming for the head.
• Kote: Targeting the wrist.
• Dō: Going for the sides or torso.
• Tsuki: Aiming at the neck and throat.

If you prefer a practical demonstration, you can check out the video for a practical showcase!

Martial arts techniques of cutting with the katana, like kendō and iaidō, play a huge role in a swordsman's success (or failure) - both in practice and on the battlefield.

If you want to master these moves, get ready to sweat it out with some serious training! Remember, practice makes perfect, and when it comes to wielding a Japanese sword, that’s especially true!

Once you’ve nailed the basic stance, get ready to practice the finer details - like how far your sword is from your opponent, the right angle, and the timing of your strikes.

Advanced Sword Techniques in Various Iaidō and Kendō Schools

Once you’ve got the basics down, you can move on to more advanced moves, which may vary depending on your school or fighting style:

• Iaidō: the term covers Japanese martial arts methods that focus on balancing your mind and body. The techniques emphasize being able to quickly draw the sword and take out the opponent before they even know what hit them!
• Kendō: a Japanese martial art that evolved from the legendary kenjutsu. It literally means a “sword way” or “sword path”. Bamboo swords ( shinai) and protective armour ( bōgu) are used during the training, allowing for full-contact fun without the hospital visit!

Tameshigiri – The Ultimate Test of Your Japanese Sword's Sharpness!

Tameshigiri, which literally means "test cut," is a traditional Japanese technique that allows swordsmen to test the sharpness of their blades.

In the past, swords were tested on all sorts of materials - or even the bodies of prisoners who were condemned to death. Luckily, those days are long gone. Today, the so-called tatami omote mats or bamboo are used for test cutting. A bit less dramatic, right? These mats are soaked in water before tameshigiri to make them safe for the sword and to make it easier to examine the results of test cutting.

What do you need for successful tameshigiri:

• The right angle: The perfect cuts should be made with a 30 to 45 degrees angle. This makes the blade slice through the mat with minimal resistance.
• Full control: It is important to hold the sword firmly during cutting. If you don’t, you might accidentally hurt yourself or someone else standing nearby.
• Stability and balance: Proper stance and engagement of the body during your cut ensures a safe and effective swing.

Want to see how it’s done? Check out the following video:

Every Warrior's Journey Begins with Choosing a Sword!

Are you ready to dive into the secrets of Japanese fighting techniques and experience the thrill of wielding a sword like a samurai?

Every journey begins with the first step - in this case, by choosing the right katana for your adventures. Check out our Japanese swords and find the blade that will help you master the ancient samurai techniques!

If you need help with choosing, let us know. We are here to help!