My research has turned up mixed opinions on the potential of this practice to damage or destroy one or both swords involved (if indeed these bouts were ment to provide an accurate simulation of true sword combat), but also a concensus that such contact should only be a last resort. By contrast, Toyama Ryu and other styles advocate deflecting an oncoming sword, rather than stopping it cold, using the side of the blade in a motion that allows for a swift counterstrike. Chikara's edge contact led to another maneuver that struck me as unusual, a situation where each swordsman would attempt to lever his blade around his opponent's in an attempt to score a "touch" on his opponent's neck. I saw more than one bout resolved in this manner, and it resembled nothing more to me than SCA or Renaissance Faire combat. Lastly, the rules of the day's sparring included a prohibition against striking at an opponent's hands and wrists, with Mr. Kilgore rightly pointing out that "these people have to go to work on Monday." Of course, that comment further called into question for me the claims about expert control of these students over their weapons, and about the realism of their practice - after all, Toyama Ryu's kata frequently begin with a disarming strike to the wrists or forearms before advancing to a killing blow; and with the wrists no longer a valid target, I saw frequent use of a perculiar move where the left hand was placed on the back of the blade near its end to guide the tip in for a precise thrust at the throat. In real combat, such a move would almost certainly open one up for a number of possible cuts. After puzzling over these techniques for several bouts, I decided I had seen as much as I needed to, and made my way for the exit.
I attended the Sengoku Classic to see Minnesota's first JSA tournament and get a feel for what I can expect when it's time for me to participate in my first U.S, Batto Federation taikai. The event came up short of showing Minnesota a true sword tournament, turning instead to be one school's glorified demonstration. Chikara Dojo had some good cutters on display, some technique that looked a little unusual through the lens of a much simpler style, and an unfortunate slip of the hand called the school's credibility somewhat into question. For the time being, I guess attending a true taikai means mustering up enough cash to travel to Florida or California, or whatever other state has more kenshi per capita than Minnesota. But maybe one of these days we'll get a proper sword tournament up here.
TJ Hara
