The Lone Dance

A dance of skill and honor, this is a jewel that shines for all to see. A brilliant demonstration of both sword skill and dexterity. It is done by choosing music to dance to and by forming a routine. To sink in with the tone, combine as one, music and skill. As if a dancer dancing and then a swordsman performing a kata. Together they make a storm of unique and fascinating beauty.

Physically it is done by training with certain movements with the sword with the momentum of the sound.

Make harmony with the notes and rhythm with the moments. This is a complicated thing to describe with words. It is better to be passed down, as is the true ways of learning. Let this knowledge inspire you to seek out a sword dancer to teach you this new art. This is but one of the three dances.

The Silent Sword - Wood vs. Wood

The one step. This dance is performed either in a circle or a square. The edges being the boundaries. The two swords people cannot leave once they enter. The contest begins by declaring who gets the first strike. Then that person takes one step and makes one sword strike. Ideally trying to kill with the sword or force them out of the circle. The defender, simultaneously, takes one defensive movement and makes one block. Then the roles switch, back and forth. It ends when one is forced out or struck by a sword. Note that both actions must be single, clean and clearly defined as one sharp movement, both feet and sword moving on one desired path to a complete stop, then switching roles and continuing. Attacker becomes defender and vice-versa. This is the friendly dance and it is mostly used to practice for the steel dance described below. The first rule to sword dancing is to use your senses, know your surroundings, be ready and be warned.

The Dance of Death - Steel vs. Steel

This dance falls under the same guidelines as 'The Silent boken' except that it is done with steel. This dance, when done as a tournament, ends when the sword blade is pressed against the opponents open area. That strike must be acknowledged as a deadly or cutting blow, if the strike was done full speed. If the opponent disagrees, feeling the strike could not cut nor would have been a deadly blow, he then has the right to take an offensive or defensive action. The aggressor of the initial action can draw his or her blade to prove the strike is valid. If blood is drawn, even slightly, the defender must stop the action he began when he declared the strike invalid. The cut proving the validity of the strike, there by ending the dance, the defender losing. The rest of the rules in regards to victory and disqualification remain the same as in 'The Silent Boken'.

A death dance is performed by two enemies. It can either end in death, by final strike, disqualification of breaking the circle or by submission. This is the most dangerous dance of them all. Grant it the honor it deserves and some honest fear.