Thread: right vs. left
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Old 09-23-2008, 01:35 PM   #20
Robert Cowham
Dojo: East Sheen Aikido and Kashima No Tachi
Location: London, UK
Join Date: Jul 2000
Posts: 289
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Re: right vs. left

Quote:
Another reason is the etiquette of walking with a sword. Striking someone's saya was often perceived as an invitation to a duel. Very poor manners. Having groups of bushi walking together in line kept things much more civil if they all had them on the same side. Less chance of misunderstandings...
Indeed, as I understand it this is one of the reasons why all right thinking countries drive on the left

As to using swords only left or right, Musashi founded his two sword style:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyōhō_Niten_Ichi-ryū

Robert
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