Did you know?

Did you know that during training, some samurai practiced two-handed swordplay to be ready for any eventuality? It was rare, but when you're a samurai, you're ready for anything, aren't you?

The idea of ambidextrous samurai refers to the ability of certain warriors to wield their katana (the long blade) and wakizashi (the shorter blade), or even two katanas, in each hand. The practice is particularly associated with Miyamoto Musashi (1584-1645), one of the most famous samurai, who developed the technique known as "Nitô Ryû" (or "two swords"). This required a great deal of discipline, since it was necessary to master the synchronization of movements and manage two blades at the same time, which is not at all easy.
In fact, we often speak of " dual wielding " or "the art of fighting with two swords" rather than pure ambidexterity. Not everyone was capable of this feat - far from it! Samurai who tried, either out of curiosity or to specialize, trained intensively, with precision and coordination exercises to be effective with both hands. Even if it was relatively rare (most preferring to concentrate on a single blade for greater power and finesse), the existence of this style testifies to the samurai's spirit of innovation and their willingness to prepare for all combat scenarios.

The katana was often considered the soul of the samurai. That's why the blacksmith, during the manufacturing process, was sometimes surrounded by sacred rituals: purification, prayers and meditation to infuse the blade with his "good vibe".

The sword wasn't just laid down any old how! In the Japanese home, the edge of the katana was placed upwards to limit wear and tear on the blade, and to signify peace (you don't draw just any old time).

The famous sageo knot, which holds the sword scabbard in place, could also be used to improvise a tourniquet or a rope in case of trouble. A simple cord can save the day!

Some katanas were tested on the corpses of criminals or convicts. This practice, known as tameshigiri, was used to assess the blade's cutting quality. Today, fortunately, we're happy with rice straw!