Kenjutsu

Kenjutsu is the art of Japanese Swordsmanship combat. The most famous of all Japan’s sword masters, was Miyamoto Musashi (1584-1645). Kenjutsu is the older version from which the modern aspects of Iaido and Kendo came to be. Kenjutsu uses primarily the live cutting blade (Shinken). Whereas, other forms of Iaido and Kendo use non cutting metal blades (Iaito), wooden swords (Bokken), or bamboo swords (Shinai). Kendo is most known for being sport like Japanese swordsmanship. Japanese Swords are divided mostly into two type; long sword (Daito or sometimes called Katana), and short sword (Shoto or Wakazashi).

There are four primary basic actions to sword use; Nuki-tsuke (drawing the sword from the scabbard/saya), Kiri-tsuke (cutting action), Chiburi (blade clearing/cleaning), and Noto (re-sheathing into the saya). The curriculum of Aibukan No Ken (Aibukan Sword) is divided into two approaches to practice. The approaches are classical old Kenjutsu, and that of Aiki Ken (Aikido Sword thought). The classical approach is a study toward combat applications with the sword used by ancient Japanese Samurai. The Aiki Ken (Aiki sword thought) has a projection that the use of the sword gives way to the increased understanding and ability of Aikido technique.

The Aibukan No Ken curriculum is made up of the primary systems of Eishin Ryu, and the Japan Kendo Renmei (ZNKR). The curriculum includes five categories of Kihon (basic drill practices; gripping/holding, postures, 8-cuts, 8 directional cuts, 4 actions form with 4 chiburi), 12 Seitei Kata, 5 additional Classical Kata, and 3 Aiki Ken Kata. Aibukan No Ken also includes; Kumi Tachi (pairs practice), Jiyu Waza (free matching/sparring), and Tameshi-Kiri (cutting material of tatami, bamboo etc.).