Originally Posted by
Ken-Hawaii
...swordsmanship wasn't all that important to the Samurai. Not sure that I fully agree on many of his comments, but I'd like to hear what others think.
It depends on the time period at which one is looking.
At one time, what came to be called Bushido was called Kyuba-no-Michi, the Way of the Bow and the Horse. During the Warring States period the bow, the spear, and the halberd were major players, with swords relegated to a role similar to that of a pistol to modern soldiers.
But in the Edo period the sword took on a much more important role, both practically and symbolically. And of course an ancient sword is part of the sacred regalia of the empire, along with a mirror and a jewel, so swords are intimately tied up in the very fabric of Japanese culture.
It's not an easy issue to tie up in a neat bundle.
Yours in Budo,
---Brian---