Re:

O'Keefe wrote:

> In The History of the Samurai, Did they always draw thier sword with thier right hand even if they were lefty ? I appreciate a factual answer. thanks

There *were* no lefties.

Anyone showing signs of leftyism was trained out of it.


Tony

I believe this was due to confucian values of
conformity in society. I am not sure though.

Musashi
--- "Anthony J. Bryant" <ajbryant@...> wrote:

> O'Keefe wrote:
>
> > In The History of the Samurai, Did they always
> draw thier sword with thier right hand even if they
> were lefty ? I appreciate a factual answer. thanks
>
> There *were* no lefties.
>
> Anyone showing signs of leftyism was trained out of
> it.
>
>
> Tony
>
>
>

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Confucianism wasn't big until the Tokugawa made it
big. Tony can correct me, probably, but I would hazard
a guess that THAT's the way IT WAS DONE, so that's the
way it was. Also, I don't know the credibility, but I
read somewhere that bumping scabbards was a big no-no;
having people with scabbards on either side of them
created a whole bunch of problems, so they were all
taught to have them on the left, requiring a
right-handed draw.

I would also hazard a guess that much like Europe
lefties were considered "odd" and should be trained
out of it.

Nate

--- erik baker <musashieb@...> wrote:

> I believe this was due to confucian values of
> conformity in society. I am not sure though.
>
> Musashi
> --- "Anthony J. Bryant" <ajbryant@...>
> wrote:
> > O'Keefe wrote:
> >
> > > In The History of the Samurai, Did they always
> > draw thier sword with thier right hand even if
> they
> > were lefty ? I appreciate a factual answer. thanks
> >
> > There *were* no lefties.
> >
> > Anyone showing signs of leftyism was trained out
> of
> > it.
> >
> >
> > Tony
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> __________________________________________________
> Do You Yahoo!?
> Yahoo! GeoCities - quick and easy web site hosting,
> just $8.95/month.
> http://geocities.yahoo.com/ps/info1
>

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Hi Nate, and all -

"Also, I don't know the credibility, but I read somewhere that
bumping scabbards was a big no-no"

Indeed it was. Saya clashing (saya-biki? I can't remember the
term) was an unforgivable offence and when it happened swords
would be drawn instantly - effectively it was an invitation to
a duel.

'Gunsliger' type samurai would strut round the streets with the
sword worn almost flat across the stomach so the saya stuck out
as far as possible to the side. More restrained samurai would
wear their swords something over 45 degrees across the body -
utilising the curve of the blade to keep the saya to the rear
as much as possible, whilst a small move of the left hand on
the saya would move the butt of the hilt towards a potential
enemy to the front, ready for a draw.

I saw a lovely move by a venerable old iai master who showed a
way to avoid this unfortunate occurance:

Left hand sits naturally on top of the saya just below the
hilt, thumb next to belly, knuckles facing out. As the
'gunslinger' (or should that be saya slinger?) approaches, just
before the clash, the old man tightens his grip, turns the
knuckles downward and at the same time pulls his fist up
towards his shoulder. This action 'screws' in his saya and the
sword ends up held close in and parallel to the body, thus
avoiding the clash!

Bad guy, who missed the move, also having missed his mark,
stumbles uncertainly and the old boy then draws his sword and
cuts him down with ease!

It's all in a day's work.

Tom