Have you ever watched the anime Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba and thought, “Samurai are so cool”?
In fact, the battle scenes in Demon Slayer are based on real Japanese sword performance techniques known as Tate (pronounced “ta-te”). Tate is the traditional art of staged sword fighting used in movies and theater—safe, controlled, and visually striking.
One of the most important basics is how to draw (batto) and sheathe (noto) a katana. While these movements may look simple, doing them correctly takes precision and practice.
The key is the position of your left hand.
Beginners often place their left hand in the middle of the scabbard (saya), which makes the sword unstable. Skilled practitioners, on the other hand, place their hand just above the koiguchi (the mouth of the scabbard) to firmly anchor it. This not only stabilizes the sword but also allows for a smoother transition into the next movement.
(Fun fact: “Koiguchi” means “carp’s mouth” in Japanese — “koi” means carp, and “guchi” (a variation of “kuchi”) means mouth — because the shape of the scabbard opening resembles a carp’s open mouth.)
Even in the anime, the main character Tanjiro struggles with hand placement early in his training.
As he grows, however, he learns to position his hand right above the koiguchi. The elite swordsmen known as the “Hashira” all hold the scabbard in this precise way, showcasing refined and elegant movements. The anime pays close attention to these real-life swordsmanship fundamentals.
In Tokyo, you can actually try these techniques yourself through a Samurai Experience Program. Whether you’re an anime fan or a complete beginner, this is your chance to handle a sword like Tanjiro and step into the world of traditional Japanese swordplay.
When you do, be sure to focus on your left hand position as you draw and sheathe your katana. We welcome everyone—especially fans of Demon Slayer!
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