The primary thing when you take a sword in your hands is your intention to cut the enemy, whatever the means. Whenever you parry, hit, spring, strike or touch the enemy's cutting sword, you must cut the enemy in the same movement. It is essential to attain this. If you think only of hitting, springing, striking or touching the enemy, you will not be able actually to cut him. Or so said some famous guy who's name escaped Hoshua Hoo. Its words swirled around the former lieutenant of the fifth Division mind. Vague just like the rest of the memories of his past. A survivor of a fate that should have been but was not.
But surviving was not without its cost, his former skills were forgotten, stripped away from his mind and his own spiritual pressure had dropped severely. It had placed him here in this room with the other students, Gwah how boring. Taking the stick he had been issued he would look at it. Its handle was thinner then the "blade" portion of the practice sword. That fact alone marked it not a normal bokken but a suburitō. Its weight heavier then a normal Katana ever would for it was designed to perfect ones swings. It would be with this that Hoshua would try to pass his time with as he placed the pummel of the practice sword on his forehead. His head tilted back he would try to balance the piece of wood. The very act bringing a tune to his lips,"Baaa dum badada dum bah da dum ba, ba dum ba da.."
Ah yes, Entry of the Gladiator's, a totally appropriate song for Hoshua at the moment but definitely not appropriate for were he was. His head and shoulders tilting and leaning to keep the curved wooden sword poised upon his noggen as he waited in not so silence for the lesson teacher. Just waiting on how to be instructed in the swords proper use.
(Note: See "youtube.com/watch?v=VsRhdXlJoAI" For details on "Entry of the Gladiator's" By Julius Focik
Quote on cutting was said by Miyamoto Musashi)