With every cut of the sword our soul is revealed
A commonly used adage is that “The sword is the soul of the samurai.” Many people repeat this old saw without ever thinking about its meaning. This saying probably began in the Edo period (1615) when the Shogun finally brought peace to Japan and ended 150 years of fighting. Prior to that time, it was common for a samurai to carry one sword daily and use another sword in battle because oftentimes one’s sword would be broken or damaged beyond repair. Thus, the sword being the soul of the samurai is really just a metaphor but that still doesn’t clarify what that means. One’s soul is the intangible essence of one’s being and it is comprised of the unseen things about us like our character, thoughts and consciousness. These unseen faculties drive our actions. Understanding this, Furuya Sensei gives us a clue when he said, “Although I am just a human being. I want to model myself after the sword; always straight, always true, and very decisive.” In practice, it is thought that with each cut we move closer to our own enlightenment and with each stroke we are cutting down the “self.” To cut something in half with one sword stroke, the Japanese say, “Itto ryodan ni suru” (一刀両断にする) which is an idiom to describe when someone is being decisive or discerning. The sword is then thought to be a tool of truth which brings discernment to our lives. The sword becomes the soul of the warrior when one uses it and imbues it with power as they try to perfect themselves and live their lives in a better way. Sensei said, “Everything you need to know about a person can be seen in how they handle the sword.” The sword brings discernment to our lives and thus it’s the soul of the warrior because its use reveals who we truly are while at the same time guiding us on the path towards being better human beings.
Today’s goal: Think deeply about your training and ask yourself what it is revealing to you.