The Correct Way to Display Japanese Swords

The Japanese Daisho, the Katana and Wakizashi, should be displayed on the horizontal sword stand with the sharp edge of the blade on top. The sword would be then curving downward. If you place the sword edge down, there will be pressure on the edge. This will cause the edge to bend. Like a barbers straight edge razor, the edge bends rather than dulls. This is why you will see an old time barber smacking the straight edge along a leather strap to straighten the edge.

If you go online to somewhere like Ebay and search for a Katana, you will probably see the katana displayed incorrectly, up-side down, sword curving up-ward, on the rack. It seems if there is a 50/50 chance of displaying it correctly, it will always be displayed incorrectly. Perhaps because when the sword curves upward it looks very Asian, like Japanese architecture. Regardless, it is bad for the edge. It is strange that the very people who are selling and handling Japanese swords do not know the proper display procedure.

Handle (Tsuka) - To the right or to the left?

There is varying opinion on which way the handle should be facing. To the right is conducive for drawing the sword right off of the stand. Where if the handle is to the left, one would have to pick up the sword and turn it over before drawing. Some say that a handle facing to the right is a sign of aggression and to the left is a sign of peace. As I said, opinions vary on this one.

Ted Hanulak is the head instructor of the Aikijutsu Academy of Indianapolis http://www.aiki-jutsu.com/

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