Favourite New Year's resolution: Be more relaxed in everyday life
Today (at the time of writing) is 1 January, so we'd like to take the opportunity to talk about typical New Year's resolutions.
In a second amount, we have already presented the popular Resolution to do more sport in more detail. In this article, we would like to look at a second widespread New Year's resolution: The desire to slow down/calm down/rest.
For most people, it may come as a relative surprise that owning a sword can contribute to this. However, if you are in the company of sword owners and collectors of Japanese swords, you will quickly realise that they are generally very balanced and relaxed personalities.
In the following, we would like to explain how the Japanese sword Nihonto leads to balance and promotes serenity. The text is sure to give you food for thought on how to make your own life a little less stressful.
How the Japanese sword can contribute to a relaxed life
Swords such as traditionally crafted katana are, of course, objects that do nothing themselves. However, the typical treatment of Nihonto is the key to escaping everyday stress and taking a deep mental breath.
This treatment, which is usually limited to a few hours a week, is an absolute counterbalance to most people's other lives.
Employment without stress
As a sword owner, there are various reasons to take care of your sword. The most common are
Watching swords is a relaxed hobby
As the owner of a Nihonto, you want to know your sword. However, the interesting thing about good swords is that you will regularly recognise new details on the blade. A new pattern in the blade surface (jihada), an additional detail in the hardening pattern (hamon) and so on. Due to the numerous details on the blade of a Japanese sword, there is always something to discover.
For example, it is enough to hold the blade at a different angle against the light to recognise completely different details in the steel of the blade.
This focussed observation and exploration of a blade ties up your entire concentration. It is not possible to do this and think about everyday problems at the same time. This completely decouples you from everyday stress.
Peace of mind through regular sword care
Every Nihonto owner maintains the blade at regular intervals. Maintenance is a simple procedure that follows a fixed schedule.
It is not particularly physically demanding and not mentally challenging.
If you take half an hour for the process and do it calmly, it will undoubtedly have a regenerative effect.
Handling a sword requires calmness
As a sword owner, you quickly learn to do things with inner calm. An agitated handling of Nihonto can quickly lead to damage to the Japanese sword. On the one hand, this is annoying, but on the other hand it can also cause a considerable reduction in value from a financial point of view.
The ability to carry out activities with inner calm is therefore an important aspect of sword possession.
Samurai mentality
Of course, it is not a long way from the topic of samurai swords to the general samurai mentality. This topic is so extensive that we don't want to cover it comprehensively in this article.
Basically, however, it can be said that studying the samurai mentality has a decelerating effect on one's attitude to life and decision-making and thus fulfils the intention of achieving more inner peace.
Contrast to everyday life: a hobby without much activity
In addition to a stressful work and family life, it is widespread to look for additional hobbies that also involve a lot of activity and have stress potential in themselves.
To escape the stress of everyday life, many people engage in activities that are even more stressful than everyday life itself.
The Japanese sword is a hobby without a lot of stress and activity. This is the only way to truly relax.
A contrast to everyday life: you buy Nihonto for yourself
Nihonto have an upmarket price and are luxury items. They are priced in the same range as luxury watches, exclusive clothing and cars.
However, there is a crucial difference to most luxury goods. Many things, such as expensive cars, are bought to get a reaction from those around you, to show them off, so to speak. The enjoyment of such luxury goods is usually short-lived and not sustainable, as new items must always be purchased in order to maintain the enthusiasm of those around you.
Japanese swords, on the other hand, are only bought for yourself. They are kept at home. From time to time you use them as described above.
All in all, however, they are a personal treasure that you buy just for yourself.
This is probably the biggest secret to the satisfaction that the purchase of a Nihonto can bring.
In any case, we wish you happiness, health and success for the New Year!
