Samurai sword Rituals & ceremonies

by Gin & Bernie Miron
(Danbury, CT 06810)

QUESTION: While watching the great film "Three Outlaw Samurai" (and we have seen this procedure in many other films as well...Ronin-Gai, Hunter in the Dark, any of the Zatoichi films, etc).....the heroes, while waiting or preparing for an eminent attack, either drink & spray water or sake, or pour either as well, on the area where the hilt & scabbard meet before the sword is drawn or as it is partially drawn.........

Okay, that was long winded.........why do they do this?....what does it mean?.....is there a mechanical purpose?.........please educate an old man who just loves this stuff.....thanks in advance.......we are also very excited.....we just bought an SBG....yea!

ANSWER:Hi Gin and Bernie!

It's just one of those 'manly' kind of things, you know - get drunk and give a like sake to the spirit of the sword before battle for good luck and so that 'it' doesn't feel left out... ;-)

There is no real practical application, unless they are feeling nice and want to sterlize the wounds they will inflict on their opponents of course.. hehe.

Btw - its a S.G.C. Katana, not an SBG.. ;-) It might as well be called a SBG because it suits my cutting philosophy down to a T, but it's actually SGC (Specialized Goza Cutter - Goza being tatami coverings/mats).

Look forward to hearing your impressions of it when it arrives! :-)

Kindest Regards,

- Paul