The title here should say it all, just watch the video immediately below and then we’ll discuss (the important action starts at about 22 seconds in):

If you watched the same video that I just did, then you probably just saw something both amazing and strange—someone on the Phoenix light rail came to the defense of an assault victim by drawing a katana.

As a woman of violence in my everyday life—usually against supernatural baddies more often than the mortal flesh-and-blood assailant—I must say that I’m in no small part impressed. First, the sword wielder managed to comport himself and his weapon with composure and discipline—in fact, he managed to chase off the attackers without spilling a drop of blood (from the attackers, other passengers, or even himself.)

It’s hard to tell if he knows how to handle the weapon or not, this video does shake all over the place, but I’ve had no few friends who can use this weapon and from what I saw, he used the small close quarters to his advantage. I didn’t see the blade slash wildly, he kept it in check and at guard until he reached the door.

Perhaps that was a hectoring jab I saw flickering out the door to urge the assailants on their way.

I do have several friends who carry weapons such as these with them in everyday business. However, I should point out that I believe they may be banned from the light rail system in general like most weapons (barring the strange paradox of concealed firearms.) It is difficult to conceal a katana if you’re not a Highlander without wearing a heavy cloak, and in Arizona such an outfit could be extremely hazardous to your health.

I hope the police spend more time and money identifying and bringing the assailants in this video to justice rather than waste their money harassing the young man who came to the rescue.

(At this point, I should mention that although I couldn’t see his face, the physique and manner of the katana wielder is oddly familiar to me. I think I know who that is. Bravo.)