swords on the right hip

**realjanuary** · Posted On: 6/29/2011 1:23pm

I've let Ali Rostami know about this thread, in case he wants to add anything to it.

Chanbarra reminds me, my brother once brought me to a chanbarra show. He's also got us tickets for the taekwondo final in the next olympics.

**Larus marinus** · Posted On: 6/29/2011 1:29pm

Originally Posted by DCS

Not much merit considering the sword was not the main weapon in japanese warfare.

Indeed. Karate and Aikido FTW! :tongue:

**realjanuary** · Posted On: 6/29/2011 1:42pm

projectile pointy things from a horse
need to get closer? sharp/pointy things on the end of a long stick from a horse
no horse? projectile pointy things from on foot
can't use projectiles? sharp/pointy things on the end of a long stick from on foot
pointy bit is broken? continue using the long stick
long stick is broken? use your long sharp thing
too late for long sharp thing? wrestle them to put in the little pointy thing
can't use little pointy thing? wrestle and wait for friends
drunken squabble in Okinawa? use feet and fists
20th century aristocrat training in the dojo? let them grab your wrist

**Larus marinus** · Posted On: 6/29/2011 1:59pm

Horses became obsolete in the Eastern world over 4000 years ago. Basically, as soon as Taekwondo was invented.

**Ignorami** · Posted On: 6/29/2011 2:32pm

Originally Posted by Larus marinus

Horses became obsolete in the Eastern world over 4000 years ago. Basically, as soon as Taekwondo was invented.

5000 years in Thailand

**Larus marinus** · Posted On: 6/29/2011 3:52pm

Originally Posted by Ignorami

5000 years in Thailand

Those Muay Boran guys used to be able drop a horse with their heads on the battlefield.

All that stuff was taken out when it became the sport of Muay Thai and was watered down for the ring with loads of rules imposed, of course.

Would've been freaking sweet to have been there back in the day and seen those ancient Thai warriors conditioning their skulls using palm trees, coconuts, walls and bags filled with lead balls for 12hrs+ per day....

**realjanuary** · Posted On: 6/29/2011 4:54pm

Originally Posted by Larus marinus

,,, conditioning their skulls using palm trees, coconuts, walls and bags filled with lead balls for 12hrs+ per day....

modern version is banging your head off the keyboard

**Tom Kagan** · Posted On: 6/29/2011 10:26pm

Originally Posted by Ignorami

The best justification for right-handed Fascism in this regard was "battlefield"

A dense block of 500 warriors charging into battle drawing their swords right handed, a couple in the middle draw left handed... limbs flying everywhere.

Has some merit I guess.

No, it doesn't. To add to what DCS said, Aikido was never a battlefield art.

**Ignorami** · Posted On: 6/30/2011 12:45am

I never meant Aikido Tom. The OP went to an Aikido course instead of that sword thing.

The lack of sword priority on the battlefield is a good point though.

The whole walking on the left/bumping swords argument sounds best to me from the thread so far. At least that's the one I'll pass on if someone ever asks.

As for Aikidoka insisting on it, and moaning about doing gi tops up the right way? There's no point dressing up for role play if your not going to play your part properly.

**dwkfym** · Posted On: 6/30/2011 1:11am

Originally Posted by Permalost

Seems to me that the concept is to wear the sword opposite the main arm, so there's enough room to draw the blade clear of the scabbard. If there was a social stigma on a sword on the right, what was a left handed samurai to do?

When I started learning the sword forms in my old school, I learned right handed.

Oh, forgot to mention that I'm left handed for those who don't know me