Sheeting a Katana is an unnerving thing to do. Have slid the sword over the Saya in an improvised fashion and has so far kept all my fingers intact (and arms, hands and everything else on my body).
Saw a video showing how to sheet it properly, it involved holding the Saya in a distinct way, sticking out your thumb and letting the blade slide over it with the cutting side away from the finger.
Looks simple enough, but when i tried it it still doesn't feel right as it requires you to know when the boshi (front part) of the blade is over the koigumi (opening of the Saya) so you can drop it into position, then sliding it in.
And you are supposed to do this while keeping your eyes on the enemy. But i have started out looking at the blade and getting the "feel" right, even if i have successfully sheeted the katana a couple of times keeping my eyes on an imaginary opponent - i just do this REALLY REALLY slowly.
Drawing the Katana is much simpler, there are a couple of ways you can draw it, and some of the techniques involves NOT standing still but drawing the blade as you move backwards from your opponent, or moving in with the blade to close the distance for the attacker.
There is also a technique to open up the sword before you draw it if it is kind of difficult to draw, saving precious time for when it is needed.
Basically you "draw" it a small distance, but use deception so the opponent does not know that you have begun drawing it.
You also have to be careful when drawing, i saw a youtube short of a guy drawing really fast, the Saya was cut open by the blade and his entire left hand was bleeding.
Anyway, end of my Saturday non-cyber security blabbering.
#katana #techniques #sheeting #drawing