Ahsoka episode 3 featured the titular heroine training Sabine Wren in the ways of the Force, including how to wield a lightsaber thanks to the Zatochi technique. But what is Zatochi? And why is it so important in Star Wars? Here’s what you need to know about it.
What is the Zatochi lightsaber training technique in Ahsoka?
The Zatochi lightsaber training technique is used to teach a blindsided trainee how to use a lightsaber properly.
Jedi must learn to trust the Force more than their senses quickly enough, and there is no better way than the Zatochi training to do so. While this peculiar technique has been featured in Star Wars since Luke Skywalker’s training with Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars: A New Hope, it wasn’t until Ahsoka episode 3 that it received its official name, Zatochi. It consists of a trainee being temporarily blinded thanks to a helmet and being forced to dodge their opponent’s attacks. In Sabine’s (Natasha Liu Bordizzo) case, it seems her Mandalorian upbringing is clashing with the Jedi’s ways, and it might take a while before she can effectively use the Force and fight like a Jedi.
Who was Zatochi in the Star Wars universe?
Zatochi isn’t a character in the Star Wars universe.
Unlike what some fans might think, the Zatochi technique isn’t called like that because of a Star Wars character. The name probably comes from Zatoichi, the blind Japanese swordsman who roams the countryside of feudal Japan created by novelist Kan Shimozawa. The character is known for his exceptional sword skills despite his blindness. Zatoichi has appeared in several films, television series, and other media. It’s known that Japanese culture has a huge influence on Star Wars. Ahsoka creator Dave Filoni might have just wanted to pay homage to the iconic samurai.
Ahsoka is currently streaming on Disney Plus. New episodes are released on Tuesdays.
For more Ahsoka-related content, check out the meaning of that tribute paid to Ray Stevenson in episode 1. Also, here are the viewership numbers of the Disney Plus series.
