A Brief Encounter with the Sword

May 27, 1994

Mark J. Norton


I had an accident with my katana last Wednesday (5/25/94), just before my evening Weapons Class. A few days before that, I was reviewing some of the tapes of Sekiya Sensei and Diane Zingale. Diane was demonstrating an form of Iaido that involved reversing the grip of the right hand, flipping the sword over, and drawing it down over the left shoulder before sheathing it. This may come from her study of Katori Shinto Ryu Sword.

I practiced this noto move several times, and was trying to achieve a relaxed, easy motion. Too relaxed, I flipped the sword over right into my left forearm. The edge of the sword hit with a solid thunk. I thought to myself, "Oh well, I blew that one," and sheathed the sword. Then it occurred to me, this is my live katana and looked a my arm, now streaming with blood. Ooops! I went and cleaned up the wound, which was about 3/4" long, but very deep (clear to the bone), and bound it with the help of Kathy Fitzgibbon. We agreed that it would need stitches. After changing, on my way out, Kathy asked how it happed, so I stopped and demonstrated. All agreed that this was not the right way to do it. I drove myself to the hospital and after a long wait, got five stitches.

I've given a lot of thought to this incident since then. Being cut in this manner is an important lesson for me. Swords cut. A katana cuts easily. The slightest incorrect movement can result in injury or perhaps even death. To weild the sword, your spirit must be perfect. Attention cannot be allowed to wander, relaxation is good, but sloppiness is not.

Certain phrases have taken on a new meaning to me. "To walk the edge of the sword," for example. This can be a metaphor for being very close to a sword, and not be cut by it. How do you do this? By making your spirit right. "Welcome death, but do not fear it." Working closely to the sword is to bring death close to you. To work with it, you cannot fear it, but rather welcome it. This does not mean you choose death, merely accept its eventuality.

This encounter with the sword has not dampened my desire to master the sword, but rather has enhanced it. The cut was not serious, but it clearly indicates a capability to me. I will continue to practice with the sword and I may be cut again, but I feel strongly that this will deepen my understanding of many things.