Trying something different

I recently fulfilled an ambition of mine and purchased a bokken or wooden training sword, used in Kendo and other Japanese martial arts. Despite the strange looks from my wife I have wanted to get one for some time for a number of reasons.
a) Because (as regular readers of this blog will know) Musashi used one in most of his duels
b) I wanted to actually feel what it was like to wield one as it gives me more of an insight into the techniques of the Samurai that have fascinated me for a long time
c) Because sometimes you just have to do things even if they seem crazy!
I also want to understand a little about the way it should be used and with the help of a fasinating book by Dave Lowry, I have been trying out some of the basics. This afternoon I spent some time practicing in the garden, just simple stuff like the stance, basic movement and the overhead cut and it was a really interesting experiment. First, the whole thing is totally different to my experience so far. The stance is different, much more forward and open and obviously holding a weapon two handed is completely new. The dynamics of the cut are subtle and going to take a long time to even begin to get right (and my forearms are aching now)but I think the most immediate thing was the footwork. As described by Mr Lowry and with a real bokken in my hands it became immediately apparent that the whole stance and movement works much more through the hips and also is designed to keep the feet in firmer contact with the ground. It gives a sense of control and balance which is not surprising when you consider a Samurai may be fighting on uneven ground where a mis-step could be lethal. Even after a few minutes practicing this unusual style I could see that there were things I could possibly take through into my fencing concerning weight distribution and balance. It feels a very 'seated' posture and I hope that my dabblings may lead me further on. Obviously without lengthy training I will never be any more than a most junior amateur but the experience may prove invaluable. Sometimes doing something completely different shows you things about that which you thought you knew.