The Sword was the book of philosophy concerning swordsmanship and discipline written by Kakita [1] in the first century. [2] It was one of the most-studied martial texts in the Empire. The Sword detailed not only Kakita's theories on kenjutsu and the basis for the iaijutsu quick-draw duel, but also his philosophical insights and way of life. [3]
Principles[]
Kakita believed that swordsmanship was an art form, and that it could be honed into something beautiful. “One soul, one sword, one strike” served as Kakita's mantra as he developed the techniques of iaijutsu. His forms would become the foundation of fencing in Rokugan. The Sword also outlined the rules, techniques, and necessity of the art of the duel in Rokugan. A duel was not just a confrontation of swords, but of souls. When a samurai lose a duel, it exposed a flaw not in their technique, but in themselves. [4]
Notable Quotes[]
- “One does not always need to kill to be victorious.” [1]
- “Those who seek advantage by wielding two swords have forgotten that the greatest weapon is oneself. The sword master has conquered their own self long before ever touching a blade—to disregard this in favor of a second sword is foolish. It dishonors you as surely as if two warriors struck the same opponent, and it does not allow strong grip or full motion of the blade. Attempts to achieve victory with a few more inches of steel are a weakness of spirit. In my school, it is a sign of cowardice. It is not The Way.” [3]
- “The mind of the opponent cannot be contained. It flows beyond the body. It consists only of thought and is made of pure potential. This is regarded by mystics as ‘the Void.’ When one is said to ‘dwell upon the Void,’ one is merely attempting to know the mind of the opponent. Therefore, to ‘strike the Void’ is to foil the opponent’s action before it can even be conceived.” [3]
- “Some will say that your opponent will defeat themself in the moment of your strike. This is not so. The defeat comes from the single imperfection within the opponent’s soul. The perfect spirit, the soul that bears no stain, and the sword whose temper is true—this is the essence of One Strike.” [3]
- “The world is constantly changing. Attributes of things exist only in comparison to other things; inherently, they are empty. Have no illusions in your heart, sharpen your spirit as you would a sword, and when you banish your own deceptive thoughts, the victorious path will be clear. People will lie, and your eyes will deceive, and your emotions will cloud the path. Steel never lies, nor deceives, nor hides The Way. In the sword, one finds truth.” [3]
References
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