06/05/2026
“Koiguchi wo kiru” Opening the mouth of the scabbard 🙌🏼
In traditional sword drawing, the blade is not simply pulled out with the hand.
The sword is released by first using the left thumb to gently push up the tsuba (guard), slightly lifting the blade from the saya (scabbard). In filming, we often use a bamboo practice sword, so it can be drawn easily for safety and repetition.
However, a real Japanese sword is designed very differently. The habaki (a metal collar at the base of the blade) fits tightly into the scabbard, securing the blade so it cannot be easily drawn with one hand alone. Because of this, unless in very specific martial contexts, drawing the sword is never a casual motion.
The act of preparing to draw, pressing the tsuba up with the left thumb, creating that first subtle “opening”, is called koiguchi wo kiru (literally, “cutting the mouth of the scabbard”).
This small gesture carries deep meaning. It signals intent: readiness to fight. And in another sense, it can also imply a readiness to die.
In other words, it is a quiet declaration of resolve. One small movement holds an entire shift in inner state. ✨
This is one of the true beauties of tate (Japanese stage combat): from the smallest physical detail, a whole story, intention, and emotional world can be created. ⚔️🙏🏻
