In Tenshin-ryu, dexterity in the left hand is crucial. Not only in Japan, but in many countries, people born left-handed were often trained to use their right hand instead. When I was young, this trend was still strong, and the term “gitcho” (meaning left-handed) was used with derogatory overtones, though it’s rarely heard these days.
For samurai, being right-handed was the standard, and it was assumed that one would draw and hold their sword with the right hand, wearing it on the left hip. Even if someone was left-handed, they wouldn’t wear their sword on the right side. (Perhaps there were exceptions, but I’ve yet to see historical sources that suggest so.)
That said, the sword was not wielded solely with the right hand; there were times when the left hand alone was used to handle the sword, and even instances where it was drawn with the left hand. This made left-hand dexterity directly advantageous for mastering technique and in practical combat.
Ishii-sensei instructed Tenshin-sensei to eat with his left hand, saying, “It’s a disadvantage if you can’t use your left hand freely.” When Tenshin-sensei tried eating with his left hand at home, his father slapped him and flipped the dining table over. It’s a harsh story that speaks to the era.
Ishii-sensei also asked Tenshin-sensei if he could play any musical instruments. When Tenshin-sensei replied, “I can manage the harmonica,” Ishii-sensei said, “That’s not good enough!” and recommended the Taishogoto(大正琴), adding, “It’s good because it uses the left hand” (and it’s a traditional Japanese instrument).
*Strictly speaking, the Taisho koto is actually a modern invention, created during the Taisho era based on Western instruments.
As a result, Tenshin-sensei still sometimes eats with his left hand even today.
I myself am left-handed. As a child, my grandmother tried to make me switch, but I stubbornly insisted on staying left-handed. Yet, I swing a bat and throw things with my right hand, making me cross-dominant. In elementary school, I practiced calligraphy with my right hand, and in baseball, I trained myself to bat left-handed from a young age. At the martial arts school affiliated with Shorinji Kempo, I practiced using both hands since being ambidextrous was an advantage. This included training to eat and write with my right hand. It seems that ambidextrous training is also common in sports like boxing.
Therefore, I encourage everyone to train their non-dominant hand—what we might call the “less-skilled hand.” Eating is the best method, as everyone eats daily. Using a spoon, fork, or knife may be manageable, but chopsticks can be incredibly challenging and stressful. Please give it a try.
If you haven’t yet mastered using chopsticks, I suggest starting with your dominant hand first.
There are other methods besides eating. Surprisingly, some people brush their teeth exclusively with their dominant hand. It’s said that excessive force is applied when brushing the opposite side, so using the non-dominant hand can improve dental health. I recommend giving it a try.
Practicing drawing and sheathing the sword with the left hand is also good training. Takei-sensei practiced left-handed draws with his sword worn on his right hip. Having the non-dominant hand copy what the dominant hand can do can also help correct the movements of the dominant hand. While it doesn’t have to be done to an extreme, just a bit of training in this area can contribute to overall improvement.
Kuwami Masakumo
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