(Prefatory note: This doesn't quite feel "right" for the Magick, but it doesn't feel right for the Head Shop or Conversation either.)
After a brief flirtation in college, I've decided I may well pick up the sword again. I've been looking up classes in my area, and found a great article on the web.
Here's an excerpt:
My teacher, Mr. Logan, sometimes referred to fencing as "applied axiology." For him it was the physical manifestation of chivalric philosophy. The more I practice, the more I find this to be true.
For example, it is a long-standing tradition in fencing that the person who "receives a touch from" (is theoretically wounded by) the adversary, must acknowledge it openly. Perhaps you're familiar with the call, "Touche!" which means "I have been touched!" A fencer never claims a touch against his/her opponent- or even inquires about one that has not been freely acknowledged. But if the adversary concedes a touch you do not believe was valid, you must decline credit for it by replying "Pas de touche," meaning "Not a touch."
Even though there are five officials presiding over a fencing contest, fencers are still honour-bound to acknowledge all hits they receive. This, I believe, makes fencing quite unique in two ways, one very intriguing and the other very important.
The intriguing thing is that if fencing is only a "sport" (as some might insist) then it is the only one in which your opponent determines your score for you.
The important thing however is this: fencers acquire the habit of being honest, gracious and, above all, self-responsible.
and also:
Combat, the fencer quickly finds out, is extremely dangerous business and even under the best circumstances, you are quite likely to be badly injured, if not well-killed. And doubly so if you are the aggressor. It is particularly unlikely to succeed with an attack if your opponent happens to be ready to receive it. Clearly, fighting is a very poor last resort, to be avoided if at all possible.
I think this is a lesson worth learning and I believe it is learned best in very practical terms, rather than purely as an intellectual or philosophical construct. My theory is that the more you understand about real fighting, the less inclined you will be to fight.
Some of this talk of peace-within-violence and intrinsic honor seem really close to Eastern martial arts, only as a subtext rather than the explicit object of study.
So, are there any fencers here? Anyone have any tales of the "wisdom of iron" or mystic swordmasters?
I'd also be interested in links to fencing essays, and essays on any inner work with swords. What does fencing mean? |
