Japanese Sword Styles

The swordsmanship of medieval Japan, or kenjutsu, is an art and tradition that remains widely studied in modern times. Thousands of schools of kenjutsu have existed over the centuries. Although the katana is not a weapon used in actual combat in modern times, its study cultivates the martial discipline and spirit of the samurai, and the skills learned can be applied to other martial arts such as aikido.

  1. Different Branches

    • Kenjutsu covers several branches of samurai sword styles. The word "kenjutsu" can refer to either Japanese battlefield-oriented sword arts as a whole or the specific subset that focuses on combat with swords already drawn. Iaijutsu is a defensive type of Japanese swordsmanship that focuses on cutting from the draw, finishing the attacker with another cut or thrust, cleaning the blood and sheathing the sword. Some kata, or forms, are designed for use against multiple attackers. Many schools of swordplay, such as Tenshinsho-den Katori Shinto-ryu, include elements of iaijutsu in their curricula. Battoujutsu, a subset of iaijutsu, focuses on making multiple cuts from the draw and includes tameshigiri, or test cutting of rice mats, as a training tool.

    Equipment

    • Although the techniques and focus of different schools of Japanese swordplay differ, the equipment remains the same. Students of most schools of kenjutsu wear a solid-colored (usually black or navy blue) hakama, the pleated ankle-length pants won by the samurai, as well as a kaku-obi, or thick cotton sash/belt. They also wear a gi, or top. Tabi, or split-toed socks, may occasionally be worn. Shoes are not allowed.

      Students of samurai swordplay often start with a bokken, a wooden training sword shaped like a katana. This is for safety purposes, especially in iaijutsu or battoujutsu where an incorrect draw could lead to severed fingers or an irreparably damaged katana. In iaijutsu, students have the option of using an iaito, a dulled aluminum/zinc alloy training blade. Advanced students may be allowed to use a live katana at the discretion of their instructor.

    Curriculum

    • Training in kenjutsu incorporates sword and dojo etiquette, physical conditioning, footwork, basic sword movements, disarming techniques and partnered kata. For safety reasons, free-form sparring does not appear in kenjutsu even when using bokken. Some of the kata in older kenjutsu styles may look like sparring, but they are prearranged attacks and parries with the finishing blow halted just before impact. Absolute control of the weapon must be learned prior to this. Also, some of the kata involve other weapons, such as Niten-ichi-ryu's katana/wakizashi combination, the bo staff, the naginata or the spear.

    Notable Schools

    • Several notable styles of kenjutsu are studied in modern times. Niten-ichi-ryuu, developed by Miyamoto Musashi in the 17th century, is best known for using the shorter wakizashi in conjunction with the katana. Tenshinsho-den Katori Shinto-ryu, a comprehensive kenjutsu school founded in 1447, includes in its curriculum the weaponry a samurai would have been expected to face and use in battle: the katana, the yari (spear) and the naginata (glaive) are chief among them. Yagyu Shinkage-ryu, a style developed in 1568, emphasizes defense more than attack. One of its principal tenets is "katsujin-ken," or "the sword that preserves life." Disarming techniques and blending movements are heavily practiced.