Kenjutsu

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Kenjutsu (剣術 – literally "sword methods") is a form of partnered practice that is almost exclusively exercised through kata. Kenjutsu in conjunction with kata is the core means by which koryū (old schools) bujutsu (martial methods) train their students to employ the Japanese swords against a variety of classical weapons, while indoctrinating the student in the ryu’s combative mindset. Therefore kenjutsu can be seen to form an integral aspect of all classical Japanese sword school curriculums.

Today many koryu schools employ kenjutsu as part of their curriculum. Some are even thriving on a relatively small scale. Ryu such as Yagyū Shinkage-ryū, Kashima Shinto-ryū, Kashima Shin-ryū, Kashima Jikishinkage-ryū, Hyoho Niten Ichi-ryū being some of the more famous batto ryū today. Some of these schools trace their lineage to the early years of the Tokugawa shogunate. Many other ryū can legitimately trace their history from the founder dating back to the 13th century, such as Maniwa Nen-ryū (founded: 1368) or Tatsumi-ryū (founded: Eisho period 1504-1520) or Kashima Shin-ryū (founded: ca. 1450).

Contents 1 Confusion with other practices 2 Equipment 3 Nitojutsu 4 Disciplines 5 See also 6 References 7 External links

[edit] Confusion with other practices

Kenjutsu should not be confused with iaido or iaijutsu, where the former being a modern development with both sporting, artistic, and mediative features. The role of iaijutsu is as a practice performed against an opponent who is visualized most often to be armed with a sword. There is often strong biomechanical symbiosis between the iaijutsu and kenjutsu of most batto ryū(school). Iaijutsu allows the practitioner of the ryū to perfect the execution of techniques, body position and displacement which he/she will later employ in his/her kenjutsu without the stresses of a partnered kata. Iaijutsu therefore remains a distinct and yet a complimentary practice to kenjutsu in most batto ryū.

Another general distinction between iaijutsu and kenjutsu is the condition of the sword at the start of the kata. In iaijutsu, the sword starts in the sheathed position with the emphasis on the draw as well as the few initial cuts. Traditionally koryū focus on shifting smoothly in the pace of execution within the iaijutsu kata with little focus is given to the speed of draw. This is contrasted with kenjutsu, were the sword begins unsheathed, and the emphasis is on both attack and defense. This distinction is however not consistent as some kenjutsu katas start with the sword sheathed.

[edit] Equipment

The equipment employed in kenjutsu has changed little in almost five hundred years, with most schools employing a ryu-specific bokken. The style of the bokken is often defined by tradition with the design, weight and feeling of the bokken being specifically chosen so as to allow the techniques of the ryū to be effectively executed. Contrast, for example, the very thin and fast Yagyū bokken which suits the quick and light sword work of Yagyū Shinkage-ryū with the relatively heavy and straight Kashima Shin-ryū bokken which has little taper and which lends itself well to the heavy contact inertial style of the Kashima Shin-ryū.

Some schools employ a fukuro shinai (a mock bamboo sword covered with leather or cloth) under circumstances where the junior student lacks the ability to safely control a bokken at full speed or as a general safety precaution. The practice of using a fukuro shinai was however not adopted from Kendo as the invention of the fukuro shinai dates back to the 15th century. Many ryū also practice kenjutsu at advanced levels with unsharpened steel swords called iaito.

[edit] Nitojutsu

A distinguishing feature of many kenjutsu syllabus is the use of a paired odachi and kodachi/shoto commonly refereed to nitojutsu or two sword methods. The most famous exponent of nitojutsu was Miyamoto Musashi Fujiwara Genshin, (1584-1645) the founder of Hyoho Niten Ichi-ryū. Nitojutsu is not however unique to Hyoho Niten Ichi-ryū nor was nitojutsu the creation of Miyamoto Musashi. Both Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto-ryū were founded in the early Muromachi period (ca. 1447) and Tatsumi-ryu founded Eisho period (1504-1520) contain extensive nitojutsu curriculums while also preceding the establishment of Miyamoto Musashi’s – Hyoho Niten Ichi-ryū.

[edit] Disciplines

• Battojutsu
• Nitojutsu
• Tojutsu
• Kojutsu

[edit] See also

• Koryū
• Iaijutsu
• Kenjitsu Studio

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Koryu.com Guide to Kenjutsu