How to Ninja Sword Fight

Shinobi were trained assassins, spies and guerilla warriors who used the katana only when forced to.

The ninja sword, or katana, is an ancient weapon used by Japanese shinobi as a primary offensive weapon during battles. Consisting of a single long, gently curving blade of suicidal sharpness, the katana is a fearsome weapon to have wielded against you and is difficult to master successfully. However, with a foundation of accurate knowledge and some sparring practice, the katana can become the most reliable weapon of ninjutsu, the martial art of the shinobi.

Things You'll Need

• Bokken & sheath
• Sparring partner

Instructions

1. Cinch the sheath of the practice sword, or bokken, around your waist so that the handle protrudes forward on your non-dominant side.

2. Grip the top of the bokken's sheath, just below the practice sword's circular hand guard with your non-dominant hand.

3. Draw the sword out smoothly until 6 inches or so remains sheathed, then swivel your hips toward the dominant side while pull the sheath further away from the sword to unsheathe it fully.

4. Grip the sword's handle firmly with both hands, with your dominant hand nearer the hand guard. Raise the sword over your dominant shoulder, nearly vertical and ready to strike, and wait for your sparring partner's first attack.

5. Block your opponent's incoming weapon with a sharp downward swipe of your bokken. This will deflect their weapon to the ground, expend their potential energy, and leave you free to counter attack without opposition.

6. Use short, diagonal slashes to wear down your sparring partner's defenses, and look for an opening in which to strike. Maintain rigid control of your arms, and never extend the elbows to their full range of motion.

7. Perform a killing or crippling blow by either slashing at an exposed body part, such as the legs or neck, or stabbing forward with the tip of your bokken at your enemy's core. Always return to the initial, upward-held katana stance to ready yourself for the next attack.

Tips & Warnings

• Sword fighting is incredibly dangerous, even when using practice swords. Always respect a weapon for what it is--a dangerous tool meant to hurt others.

References

• Drawing and Resheathing the Japanese Sword
• Outdoor Sword Training
• Ninjutsu Sword Techniques