[Heliosprime]

I understand that the "because I said so" response to "why do it this way" isn't a very satisfying answer but sometimes it's the best answer you can get because you are not at a level where you would be able to understand or appreciate a more complete answer. People refuse to accept that their intelligence, no matter how grand it may be, is not a substitute for wisdom gained through experience. I disagree. As a beginner, whenever I hear this answer from an instructor, it lowers my opinion of them just that little bit. Either they don't know and aren't willing to admit it, or they don't have the patience to explain it to me. Both are qualities you don't want to see in an instructor.

Now, I don't expect to understand the answer they give me when I ask why, heck, I don't understand 90% of the answers I get with Iaido, but the fact that the instructor has taken the time to share his knowledge is what counts. Also, a personal anecdote, when I was practising, I had a sempai tell me that I was drawing my sword incorrectly. When I asked why, I was told that it was a tradition to do it the way suggested. While I tried, I simply couldn't break the habit. The next week my sensei noticed that I was drawing the sword incorrectly and explained why. I instantly stopped doing it.