This is part of the series of blog articles called “A Writer’s Guide…” where guest posters share their knowledge of skills and occupations.
These articles are a resource to help other writers when creating characters
Check out this article by writer Morgan Morrow on Sword Fighting.
Sword Fighting
by Morgan Morrow
A love of Swords
I’ve always loved stories featuring heroes wielding swords. That love eventually resulted in my finding and joining a dojo that teaches a school of kenjutsu dating back to the warring states period in Japan.
My years of practice have given me an insight into sword fighting that I think is fairly uncommon in this day and age. My experience is limited to the katana, but I feel like much of it could apply to other swords and other fighting styles as well.
Using a sword
Firstly, swords are generally expensive weapons and they are not indestructible. Trying to cut through someone’s sword is unrealistic, but hitting it broadside and shattering the blade is not.
Throwing a sword would be a last resort only for the most desperate of situations, because not only would you lose your weapon the blade may well shatter or bend upon impact.
The blade is not the only part of a sword that can be used to attack. The hilt can be used for offense; to hit the enemy in the face, solar plexus, or groin. It can also be used to defend against an attack that is coming too quickly to get the blade in front of.
For added realism, it’s important to remember that most swords, if not secured in the sheath, can slide out when the wearer leans forward.
Keeping one hand on the hilt and sheath to secure the blade is oftentimes necessary. It is not unheard of for someone to lean forward, have their sword begin to slide out, and then grasp the blade to stop it. This is not a good idea and will usually result in stitches.
Experience
Moving on to the importance of experience levels. Having been a beginner standing in front of advanced students, I can say with certainty that a novice will not be able to defeat an expert.
It’s not just a matter of speed and technique, the years of experience that go into that expertise allow a person to see and sense openings that a beginner has absolutely no awareness of.
Most people who are unused to fighting will walk right into a weapon aimed at them. I know, because I’ve done it.
I’ve actually been on both sides of that move, more than once. If your story requires a beginner to defeat an expert, the expert needs to be very careless or the beginner needs help.
Openings
I mentioned openings, learning how to detect openings in your enemy’s defence – and knowing when you are open to attacks – is quite possibly the most important part of learning to use a sword.
It takes years of practice to develop, although people learning in an environment where hitting is permissible do tend to pick it up faster. Remembered pain definitely makes one more aware of when they’re going to get hit. Another lesson I’ve learned first hand.
Openings tie into range, or maai; the distance at which one is able to effectively attack their opponent.
If you are too far away you cannot reach them and everything you do is meaningless.
If you are too close you can’t bring your weapon to bear and therefore are unable to attack effectively.
The ideal range shifts depending on a person’s reach, the length of their weapon, and how they are holding their body. Simply shifting one’s weight from the back foot to the front foot is sometimes enough to move into of range.
Counterattack
Another important thing to learn is that every time you attack you will leave yourself open to a counter-attack.
When you attack you need to be aware of the vulnerabilities you are creating in your own defence. Every offensive move should be usable for defence, and every defensive move should be able to turn into an attack.
Remain Calm
The other thing an expert needs to develop is the ability to remain calm. Emotion and extraneous thoughts can be crippling in a duel. Fear will kill you and anger will make you careless.
Retreating allows your opponent to walk all over you, but being too aggressive leaves you open to attack. Staying centered and not allowing your opponent to push you off balance in any way is vitally important.
One of the most striking things I’ve discovered in my years of training is how subtle fighting with a sword really is. There is no need to cut off limbs or heads, a relatively small cut to a tendon or artery is enough to end the fight.
The smallest push can tell your opponent what you’re going to do and give them the advantage they need to win.
Blinking or stepping on something unexpected at the wrong time can mean death. The smallest mistake can result in defeat.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
About Morgan Morrow
Morgan Morrow is a writer with a lifelong love for swords and martial arts, as well as history, folklore, and fantasy of all kinds.
I hope you enjoyed this article and if you have any questions for Morgan, drop them in the comments below.
Do you have knowledge of a skill or occupation you could write about?
~ ☆ ~ ☆ ~ ☆ ~ ☆ ~ ☆ ~
Happy writing
This blog is full of articles about writing, marketing, blogging, organising, social media, books and some random stuff. I also create free printable resources. If you find the content helpful and entertaining, consider supporting this blog by donating over on ko-fi (where you will also find extra content).
Pingback: Top 5 Blog Posts Of 2021 – Author Ari Meghlen Official Website
Pingback: Top 5 Blog Posts Of 2021 – Author Ari Meghlen Official Website
Pingback: 🖋 Writing Links Round Up 11/9 – B. Shaun Smith
How useful this will be. I write fanrasy and historical novel. My latest one has a sword fight.Thank you for the information.
Thanks so much for reading, glad you found it useful.
Pingback: A Writer’s Guide… to Sword Fighting by Morgan Morrow – Allison D. Reid
Thanks for sharing
Pingback: A Writer’s Guide… to Sword Fighting – Written By Morgan Morrow – Writer's Treasure Chest
Thanks for sharing
That might have been the greatest title to any blog I have ever read. 🙂
😂
Arigato gozaimasu! I fell in love with the Japanese art of sword fighting at the age of eight – by watching a dubbed Japanese TV show called The Samurai. I’ve never learned how to fight with a sword, but this post has cleared up some basic, n00b misconceptions – e.g. about beginners and their ability to best an expert fighter. Should be required reading for all writers, and not just those writing about sword fighting. I think the same applies to all fighting skills. The concept of the super talented beginner is just a fairy tale.
Many thanks. 🙂
Thanks so much for reading, so glad you enjoyed Morgan’s post.
I really did. 🙂
Handy tips, even for those like myself who have experience of foil, epee and sabre used in the sport of fencing.
I presume the terminology in your discipline is not quite the same as parry, lunge, riposte etc.?
Our terminology is a bit mixed up. We do use parry and lunge, but not riposte. A lot of the time we use really basic language like ‘cut’ and ‘block’, and some Japanese like ‘tsuki’ instead of ‘thrust’.
Not surprising that the terms do not really correspond, because western fencing terms are heavily based in French.
Thanks so much for reading. Ooh would you be interested in writing an article on fencing? I think it would make a great addition to my series.
I would be happy to give it a try. Would you want the emphasis to be on the modern sport of fencing, or fencing in past years as training for actual fights or duels, or a book extract including a fictional bout of fencing?
Oh that is interesting, I wonder if you could touch on both the modern day and the past as training. If you could include details of the outfits, weaponry, any rules and etiquette and terms.
The details of what is needed, eg word count, format can be found here – https://arimeghlen.co.uk/resources/resource-articles/
If you can read through that, and then complete the form at the end – just means I have all my Resource Team details in one place. 🙂
Thanks so much for agreeing to be part of the Resource team 🙂
Reblogged this on Sleepy Book Dragon and commented:
This is really handy for my Steampunk Dragon Rider WIP. Thank you! Hopefully it will help others too!
Thank you so much for reading and reblogging, I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Reblogged this on Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog and commented:
More great information from Ari & her guest, Morgan 😎
Thank you so mucn for reblogging this Chris, seems to be a very popular post, sorry for the delay, this house move has been a pain
I’ve moved around a lot, so understand what you mean by more boxes than you care to think about, Ari – Enjoy your new home 😀
Thanks, Chris. It has been a lovely experience having our own home, that we can do what we wish too. 🙂
😀
Oooh, this is the ‘writers’ guide’ post I’ve been waiting for!
So glad you liked it, I’m having great fun finding all these people to share their knowledge, I hope this series continues to grow.
Excellent post. Brought back some memories of fencing in college.
Thanks for reading, fencing is so cool, does it hurt when you get jabbed?
Yep, and when you fence sabre (like I did) any part of the blade can score a hit, and that can hurt too.