Comments by "Seven Proxies" (@sevenproxies4255) on "Am I a HORRIBLE Swordsman? Sparring And Kenjutsu" video.

Daniel: Hey, what kind of belt do you have? Miyagi: Canvas. JC Penney, $3.98. You like? Daniel: [laughs] No, I meant... Miyagi: In Okinawa, belt mean no need rope to hold up pants.
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I think the question is: are you a good swordsman, or a good swordFIGHTER?
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What many people obssessing with correctness of technique fail to understand is that these techniques, stances and positions were originally developed by a single "master". They were custom made to HIS body and anatomy. That doesn't mean that the techniques and stances are optimal for any user. We have different arm lengths. Differently developed musculature. Differently shaped femurs and leg bones in general. From a fighters perspective, the "correct" posture, technique and positioning is determined through the most effective and optimal form for a particular bodytype. When it feels comfortable, natural AND applies the maximum amount of force and speed to your cuts and thrusts, THAT'S when you've got a PROPER technique. Regardless of what the "master" says.
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... Is the 600 year old Samurai a skeleton warrior? :)
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Techniques provide the form for the novice. But without sparring, the novice will never truly understand the context of the techniques. It's through sparring that you get to experience that flash of insight as to why you use a particular position or stance in a specific situation.
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@calebcampbell9280 : So for instance, being left-handed means you're "terribly out of shape" or a "physical disability"? Because there are plenty of martial arts that insist on gripping the weapon in a way suited to right-handed users "because the master says so". That's just one of many examples of ridiculous overzealousness to tradition in the martial arts world that has little to do with actual fighting.
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@DZ-1987 : A dead swordsman is of no use to their lord...
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@Tkoutlosh : I didn't specifically mention HEMA in my example.
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