Preparation for the salute or the First Position

You take the First Position as follows:
Present your right side to your opponent, the body erect, head raised, left shoulder well drawn back; the legs straight without stiffness, heels together, the right toe pointing toward your adversary and the feet forming an angle of about 100 degrees.

The weapon must be held as an extension of the arm, the point raised one or two inches from the floor, edge of blade to your right. The left arm is bent at the elbow and the left fist rests upon the hip (Fig. 2).

From this position the salute is executed.

5. The Salute

In order to execute the salute, raise your right arm level with your shoulder, the cutting edge of the blade always to the right.

(a) Salute to your Opponent. - Bend your arm at the elbow, drawing the upper part of the arm to the body, amd carrying the blade perpendicularly past the right eye, cutting edge to the left.
Lower the point of the blade horizontally toward your opponent, keeping edge of blade horizontally toward your opponent, keeping edge of blade to your left.

(b) Salute to the Spectators at the left. - Raise the blade as before and extend your arm horizontally again, but toward the left, keeping the edge of the blade also to the left.

(c) Salute to the Spectators at the Right. - Raise the weapon as before, and lower it horizontally to your right, but this time turning the edge of your blade to the right.

After the salute, you again take the First Position.

During the execution of these movements the forearm and the weapon must form one single straight line.

You must naturally look toward the place you are saluting, your body following with elegance the movements of the weapon.