MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- The crack is swift and sharp. In a fraction of a second, the upper half of a bamboo pole falls severed to the dirt - a mere twig before the cold steel of the samurai's blade.
The way of the sword is kept alive today by a unique, and diminishing group of sensei (teachers). These modern masters represent a timeless institution of Japanese culture - the samurai.
According to Japanese Ground Self Defense Force Sgt. Masashi Fujioka, the samurai were originally Japan's warrior caste, the forefather's of the army. Sword fighting schools continue to exist today as a cultural heritage and a discipline of the mind and body.
"The man who learns it must understand this history and character," said Fujioka. "He must make an effort toward the training of the heart, skill and body."
According to the Samurai Archives Web site, the samurai dominated Japanese history for nearly 700 years from 1185 to 1867, a reign both ruthlessly violent and culturally rich.
The samurai wore two swords at his waist, a long and a short one.
They symbolized his membership in the warrior class, a high position in feudal Japan. One indication of the authority he carried was a law stating that if a commoner failed to obey a samurai, they could be killed on the spot.
According to the National Geographic Web site, this inherent authority bred an elitist and idle attitude in times of peace. They were frequently more partial to drinking or gambling than cutting down an enemy. Mercenary jobs could be taken, but a yearly allotment of rice was sufficient for a comfortable sustenance.
One result of this idleness was frequent and ruthless acts of violence, unlike romantic portrayals of the samurai hero in movies.
Nevertheless, loyalty to the emperor was the samurai's ideal, and duty was his core value. With that aspiration, it became important that every aspect of the warrior be developed for the emperor's service.
"There are two sides to the samurai," said Fujioka. "They are called Shinpo (mind), and Giho (body). The skill is progressed by the improved mind, and improved mind makes much skill."
According to the Samurai Archives Web site, Bushido meaning "way of the warrior," is the beginning to an understanding of the samurai mind set.
The philosophy of Bushido is "freedom from fear." It meant that the samurai transcended his fear of death. That gave him the peace and power to serve his master faithfully and loyally and die well if necessary.
The sense of loyalty was so strong that, after defeat, some samurai chose to commit ritual suicide by cutting their abdomen rather than being captured or dying a dishonorable death.
Today, the high ideals of the samurai have become available to all people through modern schools, such as Toyama Iaido, a fencing art similar to kendo.
"The style has become suitable in a time of peace, so that young, old and both sexes can study it together," said Fujioka.
Instead of slicing bodies, modern samurai practice on wooden poles such as bamboo. The movements incorporate techniques that have been used throughout centuries of Japanese warfare.
"They are established as a cultural heritage for future generations," said Fujioka.