Our Japanese Swordsmanship lessons offer a mix of methods and techniques from Battōjutsu, Kenjutsu, Kendo, and Iaido (see below for further details on these arts).  They are informal in terms of rank or standing.  The object is to explore Japanese Swordsmanship as it relates to hand-to-hand methods found in Japanese Jujitsu.  As we explore sword work in our regular Japanese Jujitsu classes as part of our curriculum, these lessons are an added feature for those students who find themselves fascinated by the sword arts and wish to spend extra time with the material.

  Each session is personally instructed by Sensei Damien Wright.  Sensei Damien has been studying various methods of swordsmanship for most of his life.  Japanese Swordsmanship (specifically Iaido) was in fact the very first martial art that he ever studied.  Now, with such an interest among the student body here at the dojo, Sensei is excited to continue to feed this interest and introduce the students to the roots of their art.

  The students practice with Bokken (wooden practice swords) for these sessions and are also thoroughly instructed in the necessary protocols for productive and mutually safe sword work.

Styles of Japanese Swordsmanship:

Battōjutsu:

  Part of a classical ryūha (traditional method) and is closely integrated with the tradition of kenjutsu and is practiced with the live-blade (dull and sharp) katana, often as simply the sole kata. The training is for combative effectiveness, through factors such as distancing, timing and targeting. As such, battōjutsu is not intended for sport-like or "spiritual" purposes as are modern budo like iaido and kendo.

Kenjutsu:

  Originated with the samurai class of feudal Japan, means "methods, techniques, and the art of the Japanese sword".  Kenjutsu itself is an umbrella term for all (ko-budō) schools of Japanese swordsmanship, in particular those that predate the Meiji Restoration. 

Kendo:

  Literally translated as 'sword way', 'sword path' or 'way of the sword')^, Kendo is a modern Japanese martial art, descended from swordsmanship (kenjutsu), that uses bamboo swords (shinai) as well as protective armor (bōgu).  Kendo is an activity that combines martial arts practices and values with strenuous, sport-like physical activity.

Iaido:

  Emphasizes being aware and capable of quickly drawing the sword and responding to sudden attacks.  Iaido consists of four main components: the smooth, controlled movements of drawing the sword from its scabbard (or saya), striking or cutting an opponent, removing blood from the blade, and then replacing the sword in the scabbard.