The Basics of Holding the Japanese Sword
By Hiroshi Ikeda, translated by Jun Akiyama, edited by Ginger Ikeda

While there are many subtleties in the manner of holding a sword, as prescribed by the various swordsmanship styles, most practitioners will recognize the description below as the acceptable generic version, suitable for most beginners and particularly those using the sword in aikido.

When training with the Japanese sword, the right hand grips the hilt near the hilt guard and the left hand grips the end of the hilt, with the little finger placed nearly at its very edge. This is the basic manner in which to hold a Japanese sword, regardless of whether a person is right- or left-handed.

Although it may seem that a left-handed person would want to hold the sword in the opposite way, with the left hand in front and the right hand at the end of the hilt, this is inadvisable for several important reasons.

Significant strategic advantage is gained by holding the sword with the right hand in front. When you hold your sword in front of you with the tip pointed at your opponent's eyes in "seigan" position, the area of your heart is guarded by the sword and is less accessible to the opponent facing you. Obviously, if you were to hold your sword in the opposite manner, the area of your heart would be exposed as an easy target.

As for distance orientation with an opponent, this can be determined by both parties holding their sword in seigan and moving to positions which allow the two swords to cross, or overlap, about six inches in from the tip of the swords. This places each contender within about one step of being able to reach his opponent's body.

At this point, for basic positioning, the tip of your sword should be on the left side of your opponent's blade, which is the "heart" side of your opponent's body. This puts the tip of your sword on the line of the shortest distance to your opponent's heart.

In addition to being within the shortest striking distance of delivering a fatal blow to your opponent, you are also in a good position for self-defense. If your opponent were to suddenly lunge with a thrust to your heart, your best defense would be a simple twist of your body and hips, bringing your right shoulder forward and left shoulder back. In doing so, your sword would deflect the incoming blade off to your left side, while your own sword would remain on the line with your opponent's heart. You can imagine that this would be much more difficult to do if you were holding the sword with the left hand in front.