The Nature of my Making of Fruit Salad

What is the purpose of my making of fruit salad? This is a question the many of you may have asked, and there are many answers to this one question, they are one and the same, but different at the same time.

Why the mutilation of cantaloupes? Well obviously there is a great deal of fun involved in destroying these medium size fruits. Why the use of Nihontō, though? Some may say that this is a dishonorable use of these magnificent weapons, using the blade for the purpose of slicing cantaloupes. But it is not the sword that is used to serve for slicing the fruit, but it is the fruit that is to serve the blade and soul of an individual, which are both the one and the same, but different. The purpose of this event was to gain a better understanding of the sword and to test its ability. Much like a runner runs a race, a sword most cut something. While a warrior may slice the air a thousand times, it will not prepare him when he strikes his enemy. Therefore to truly understand the way of the sword, one most study all aspects of the sword and its way.

Why did I do this? As practitioner of Kendo, I must study all aspects of the use of the sword in order to know the way. As mentioned by Miyamoto Musashi’s Book of Five Rings the study on an art will reveal the spirit of the way of the thing. By practicing with a real blade one learns more about the nature of the blade and the reason why one practices the things they do. This gives meaning in spirit to the practice. Knowing what one is trying to achieve gives one focus on what needs to be done, thus the spirit of the way reveals itself.

Why the use of cantaloupes? Traditionally in our times bamboo is used as the medium in which the blade uses for cutting. Although bamboo has its advantages and disadvantages which make it the preferable choice for a target for the blade. I will not go into this in great detail as I will focus on why I preferred to use the cantaloupe. First, the cantaloupe is cheaper and more available then bamboo, but the effects of the blade can be easily observed. Using a cantaloupe with a blade is like gun shooting a paper target, and using the bamboo is like a clay target. Each display the effects of the weapon in different areas. Bamboo mainly judges the effectiveness of the sword, the cantaloupe judges mainly the skill of the warrior. Each most be used to study both aspects of both the sword and skill of the warrior, as both are one and the same. Although I have not yet study with bamboo, that does not mean that it is not important. It just means that I have not yet studied this.
Now a word of warning, as old it may sound, these swords are extremely dangerous. I had a good deal of respect for these blades, but after seeing and experiencing their effects, that respect grew greatly, this is part of the spirit of the way revealing itself to me. Also I practice with bokuto often, and practice Kendo, so I have foundation to use the sword effectively and more importantly safely. During my use of the swords this event, I emphasize control over quickness and power, for safety reasons. For legal reasons, do not attempt the following things that you see in my photos. I have had foundation of training, and still do this at risk due to the nature of the sword and risk injury. I will admit that I have been cut accidently by my Wakizashi when drawing it, just because my finger was slightly off on the saya. That small mistake cut thumb pretty badly and a good deal of blood left the wound, a lot more then excepted. While I am fine, a person with no training or experience with the blade may have been injured more severally. Even my friend who had the experience of using my swords with my permission, was first instructed how to use the blade safely. Also do not use my photos as an example for proper form, as I made many mistakes, mainly looking at the saya when the blade was sheathed. This was done for safety reasons, as the rain from the day caused the saya to have difficulty moving in and out of the obi.

Lastly if you own and/or use the sword, treat it with the respect that it deserves and clean it properly. You may clean it one every few months if just kept in storage, or if used for practice, clean it after every practice.