Re: Struggles with Bowing
The only problems I've had with bowing in the short time I've been in Aikido, is when I have a bokken on me, it's places on my left and my right hand is always the first and last to touch the mat before and after bowing.
I'm told this is because back in the day, Samurai did this so they had a quick access to their sword if trouble arose. Their right hands being able to quickly grasp their sword across their left easier.
The trick is that I'm left handed. And while I practice bokken in the dojo as a right hander, I practice all the same things at home as a left. I also Fence left so it feels much more natural.
But back to the earlier point, if I'm going to weild a sword in battle it's gonna be in the hand that I beleive if more skilled, in this case left. So shouldn't I wear my sword on the other side for bowing? Thus far I've just went along with everyone else but I still wonder about this.
(And I have read many of the forums pertaining to left handed swordsman and I'm still of the opinion that if you practice left against right, you will find that you can shift your style slighty but it will be very effective. As you will be used to fighting this way and others will not, thus giving you an advantage that may be crucial.)
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