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Swordsmanship
Edge Parrying vs. Flat Parrying
There is generally much confusion among enthusiasts over which parrying technique represents authentic swordsmanship - whether to parry with the edge of the sword, or with the flat of the sword. This article is meant as a very quick and basic run down.
With Japanese swordsmanship, blade contact is avoided altogether if possible, as the objective is basically "One cut one kill" within the first two minutes of confrontation, if possible. This is quite different from the back-and-forth fighting you might see on television or the movies, but be very aware of the difference between authentic period martial arts and entertainment theatrical combat. Theatrical combat is simulated combat for the purposes of creating dramatic value.
Primarily, body position in order to control the three-dimensional space between you and your opponent is promoted in Japanese swordsmanship in a fundamental art known as taijutsu (art of body placement) which serves as a foundation for many of the ancient schools, be it sword, knife, staff, polearm, etc. Some techniques promote voiding an enemy's attack by stepping back at a 45-degree angle (versus stepping back like in European foil fencing where all the opponent needs to do is press his attack again and get you). This footwork allows you to step back in and control your opponent's body and weapon and, ultimately, his/her ability to cut you.
If parrying is to be done with a katana (Japanese sword) the method of parrying recommended is to parry with the flat of your blade. A "parry-riposte" can be used, or a "parry-through" in which when your opponent tries to cut you, you cut towards him - the flat of your sword glances off the side of his, thereby deflecting his oncoming attack, resulting in your cutting into your opponent's body. In other words, this is both an attack and a deflection in a single stroke.
Another method is to raise the hilt and allow the blade to be pointed to the ground. This guard position may even have the blade resting on your upper arm for support. What this provides is protection against downward cuts from your opponent. Combined with body-positioning this defense causes the enemy's attack to slide down your blade and not strike you. The guard position allows for a counter-attack from a different position and stance.
A quick study of European swordsmanship reveals that these techniques were developed very similarly, e.g. the guard positions, body-positioning, voiding, etc. Period drawings suggest that parrying on the flat of the blade is promoted. One other form of parrying in European swordsmanship is more a static block where the blade of the one blocking is placed on the flat of his hand, and both arms are extended to statically block a cut.
The following is an excerpt from "Rules and Regulations for the Sword Exercise of the Cavalry" which was printed by His Majesty's Command, Adjutant General's office, 1st December 1796. London. This text was printed for the War office and sold by T. Egerton, Military Library, Whitehall, MDCCXCVI.
"The utmost attention must be paid not to oppose the edge to the enemy's sabre when
it can be avoided; but the bevel: which can only be done, by placing the
thumb between the back plate and the ear of the sword, and keeping it
firm in that position, the arm to be properly distended, for the purpose
of resisting the force of the blow." (p. 28-29)
Finally, one consideration is that the edge is the thinnest part of the sword. In some swords which may be differentially hardened like Japanese swords (with a harder edge for edge-retention and a softer body for shock absorption) the edge is potentially more fragile than the body of the sword and was therefore restricted to use on the cutting medium. In other words, the edge was designed to cut flesh and bone - not the edge of another sword. A quick study of period European swords held in museums show that the ones in good condition may have some battle scratches on the sides, but very few nicks on the edge, suggesting that flat parrying was advocated. In a battle situation, it is not inconceivable that edge parrying was done by accident.
The historical evidence seems to not advocate edge parrying. Now there are always exceptions to anything, but those promoting edge parrying need to consider the situation far more thoroughly. For instance, just because some edge parrying was done with certain kinds of sabers, it does not mean that Medieval knights did it frequently. What many miss is that on certain sabers the first third or so is actually thicker or left unsharpened. In some Chinese jian the same is done; parrying can be done with the flat or the unsharpened edge of the lower portion of the sword, while the latter sharpened portion is used for cutting and delivering the killing stroke.
In conclusion, many today focus on the sword itself rather than on the actual period martial art system as practiced in that day. The emphasis is attacking the opponent, not his sword. If parrying is done, there is a scientific method to the fighting system which preserves your life, your sword, and puts your opponent at a disadvantage.
Summary
- A study of period techniques seem to not advocate edge parrying as much as footwork, body placement, deflections, etc. to void an opponent's attack
- Edge parrying is done by some theatrical combat professionals on TV, stage or screen, but the purposes of theatrical/stage combat is not so much to recreate historical martial arts as it is simulated combat to create dramatic value for the entertainment industry (though some do study period manuals and try to create historically accurate looking fighting).
- The edge is the thinnest part of the sword. Historic pieces seem to have minimal nicks and edge damage which suggest edge parrying was avoided as much as possible.
- Finally, it depends upon the culture and time period's martial art system.
Many thanks to Milo Thurston of the Linacre School of Defence in Oxford for providing the historical quote on flat parrying from "Rules and Regulations for the Sword Exercise of the Cavalry".
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