PUBLIC MARKS with tags kenjutsu & sword

The always recurring theme of Aikiken has given one of the most complete advice in an internet forum in AikiWeb. Quoted here:

Working terminology: Diversion - glancing or moving an attack to the outside of the intended target; often done with the raised ridge (shinogi) on the side of the blade. Parry - a fluid blade diversion and riposte movement by the defender. Block - a hard block in which generally one sword will be struck against another at a right angle, typically creating an "X" shape. It is not *preferable* to block with the edge of a sword. But a swordsman will find themselves (during real combat, shiai, or even practicing freestyle in the dojo) tricked off guard at times, and will have to use the edge to save themselves from being struck down. Blocking with the edge is simply the fastest, most direct, and strongest (alignment wise) defense against an incoming cut.

This is the first in a continuing series of articles on the Japanese art of iaido the modern discipline or way of drawing the sword that was popularized in the 1930's. It was derived from iaijutsu, a sub-specialization of kenjutsu (sword arts) that was practiced by professional (samurai) warriors and involved methods of drawing the sword and cutting as a single motion. Future articles will focus on concepts that relate to practice and then on specific analyses of kata and basic techniques.