Carrying Bokuto and Shinai

[keithhf]

Hi everyone:

Happy New Year! Could someone please explain why we carry bokuto in our right hand and then shift to our left hand, but always carry shinai in our left hand?

Thank you,
keithhf

[JSchmidt]

Hi everyone:

Happy New Year! Could someone please explain why we carry bokuto in our right hand and then shift to our left hand, but always carry shinai in our left hand?

Thank you,
keithhf
Shifting the bokuto to the left hand simulates putting the scabbard (and sword) into the belt. If you watch people do kata with nihonto's you'll see them do exactly that.
We start with the shinai in the left hand as it's supposed to already be sheated in the scabbard.

Jakob

[Musha]

Hi keithhf,
Try watching one of these videos http://www.wfkendo.com/modules.php?name=Downloads&d_op=MostPopular

Or just click this http://www.wfkendo.com/modules.php?name=Downloads&d_op=getit&lid=1 :wink:

[keithhf]

Thank you for your explanation, it all makes sense now.

Keithhf

[lwegerich]

Could someone please explain why we carry bokuto in our right hand and then shift to our left hand, but always carry shinai in our left hand?

One more reason to carry a bokuto in the right hand is that considering it a real sword you are less of a threat to others. Most people are right handers so it's not that easy to quickly draw your sword with the dominant right hand when you wear it in the right hand. You are simply not ready to attack.

Therefore some dojos in Japan as I'm being told wear even the shinai in their right hand as a sort of "good will".