| Sword in Japanese culture played a significant part | | | | carefully in order not to cause any minor scratches or |
| throughout the history. Japanese sword was believed | | | | even touch to it. The longer the sword, the more |
| to have a kind of mystical air about it. A warrior | | | | care you should take. In order to do so, you should |
| approached his sword like a thing, or rather a person, | | | | grasp it in the middle from underneath and withdraw |
| imbued with the power and supernatural properties | | | | it slowly with your right hand. The blade should be |
| with utmost awe and respect. Those who possessed | | | | taken out entirely and the ha(cutting edge) should |
| a sword followed certain rules, which were a part of | | | | always be turned upwards. |
| whole Samurai code. A true Samurai would stick to | | | | Placing back a sword |
| Sword etiquette and any deviance from it will not | | | | When a samurai puts his sword back in the scabbard |
| simply indicate the carelessness, but disrespect for | | | | he takes saya(scabbard) with his left hand and the |
| traditions and high standards of the warrior. | | | | sword will be held by the hilt in the other hand. When |
| Restrictions on sword handling | | | | he places the sword back, he should carefully hold |
| One of the strong evidence of the sword importance | | | | the blade immovable and glide it towards the opening. |
| was the fact that women were not allowed to even | | | | When the tip reaches the opening it is necessary to |
| touch it unless they touch it with the kimono sleeves. | | | | push it firmly to put the sword into the scabbard. |
| In some cases, a woman entering the room where a | | | | Handling a sword |
| samurai would clean his sword would be treated with | | | | If a samurai handles his sword to someone else he |
| disapproval. In general, samurai cleaned his swords like | | | | should hold it with the cutting edge directed towards |
| a real treasure. He could, for instance, use a mosquito | | | | himself. With the point upwards, the cutting edge |
| netting to protect it from dust. Others would use a | | | | directed to the holder and his hand grasping the |
| piece of paper in their mouth so that not the | | | | pommel, he leaves some space for the receiver to |
| slightest spittle could fall on the samurai sword. And | | | | handle it. The receiver will take it, when the holder |
| those who were especially devout would not even | | | | shows him that he is releasing the grasp with the |
| breathe in close with the sword. | | | | slight shake of the sword. As soon as the receiver |
| Generally speaking it was prescribed for all samurais | | | | takes the sword he turns it with the cutting edge |
| to care about their swords and follow certain | | | | towards himself. |
| standards of handling it. | | | | Examining a sword |
| Receiving a sword | | | | Samurai should pay special attention to the blade- the |
| When a warrior receives a samurai sword he is | | | | contact with bare hands should be avoided entirely. |
| expected to bow as to show his honor and respect | | | | You may only use either a rice paper or a special |
| towards the giver and swordsmaker. You should | | | | cloth for this purpose. To apply more careful |
| keep in mind that every samurai sword has its own | | | | approach he could put on white gloves to protect |
| story to tell and receiving it was quite a significant | | | | the blade from any bare contact. |
| event to any dignified warrior. | | | | Warrior is not expected to talk about his sword in a |
| Unsheathing a sword | | | | manner which can in one way or another seem |
| You should be allowed to unsheathe the sword. | | | | disrespectful. The holder should ask in advance for his |
| When you take the blade out of the scabbard(saya), | | | | company to talk about its possible flaws. |
| you can only hold it in your left hand and move it | | | | |