I have been practicing with the sword for over twelve years now and I cannot presume to know more than a small fraction of what there is to know about it. I have recently discovered a connection between the katana and playing golf. With the katana, it is not how hard you swing, but how you allow the tip of the blade to do the work for you. In golf, it is the connection you make with the ball that makes the movement seem effortless. Again, with the katana, the idea is to make a clean cut and join your spirit with the blade. It has been used for many generations for spiritual and ritual rites and still is used, in certain instances, as the instrument of death with honor in the Japanese ritual of seppuku.While "Highlander" gave me the opportunity to work with various martial artists, it also afforded me the opportunity to work with many different weapons. I've always had a strong interest in swords and weaponry. Swords have been used by man since the beginning of time. It was considered a weapon of destruction, but paradoxically, was also viewed as a symbol of fair play and strength. Swords today can garner a huge amount of money at auction, not only because of its age, but because of who has handled it. Cultures around the world have created their own types of weapons, each suited to their particular geographic needs. Swords were devised for the various types of fighting. A sabre, which was used by cavalry, has a curve to it so the rider can cut downward on his opponent. The broadsword was weighty, therefore, allowing for slicing through heavy armor. The long Spanish blade was used to keep a man at bay when entering the circle of death, as demonstrated in the episode "Duende" in Season 5 of "Highlander."
No man can be my equal. Deal, bitches.
