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Original Message from Marty Souza: Sensei, My top student, Ben Edwards, is interested in purchasing a sword. Do you think it's appropriate for him to be purchasing a katana at this point in his training? He is doing well with his iaito and we already have a dojo sword for students to cut with so there is no hurry. Martin, Hello and nice to hear from you. Yes I remember Ben. It was clear that he was a diligent student and sincere about his training from his effort he put into the testing and the tournament. Students like him are often held back, possibly at a point like now, by not using their 'own sword'. As you know, using a live blade nearly all the time brings another level of awareness to the surface if the student is ready for it. As I have spoken to the CIT members, "when it comes to safety, YOU are the best insurance policy." It then comes down to that personal decision whether 'you' feel he has the awareness to make this step. Of course even I do not use my live blade every day. Some days I just don't feel I have 'it' enough, due to lack of appropriate sleep or potentially a host of other things that could jeopardize my concentration. It ultimately is always 'my' determination what instrument fills the bill given the type of training I want to do, the sort of disposition I have, or the degree of mental fatigue that may be exerted on me as class time approaches. In the final analysis our training teaches us to be more level headed in our decisions. In the larger scheme of things the training spills over into all parts of life to balance us in all ways at all times. You or Ben can email me here at your leisure to discuss the new sword if that is the way you choose for him at this time. Thank you for the mail. Sincerely, Russell McCartney Soshin, Founder and Chief Instructor IYR and Peak Performance Sword Systems |