Kenjustu(剣術) is usually recognized as
combative offensive swordsmanship. With the
sword already drawn with an aggressive
intent the Samurai would move into Battle.
The first recorded historical systematic
teachings of the Japanese long sword began
about 800 AD. Since that time, over 1200
different ryu (schools) have been
documented.
The Samurai saw the sword as a
representation of the soul. In light of
this, many Practitioners of kenjutsu began
to question if a higher understanding could
be achieved through practice and study with
the sword. These kenshi (swordsmen)
developed the art of the sword (kenjustsu)
into not only a superior art of war but a
way to cleanse the very depths of the soul.
Many Katas were developed to practice the
hidden techniques and spiritual attributes
of the sword. The Katas were much like
puzzles. Pictures of the art of war to be
put together by the practitioner only after
he could descramble them through unrelenting
dedication and training in the art of
Kenjutsu.
Kenjutsu is considered a classical bujutsu
(art of war or martial art), having been
well formulated prior to the Meiji
reformation (the classical/modern dividing
line).Kenjutsu Schools tend to be quite
secretive of their techniques, being very
closed to outsiders. Because of this reason
the Katas were designed to hide the
techniques from outsiders as well as
enemies. Many believe the techniques to be
lost, however they are still here and very
much alive waiting to be discovered only by
one who would obey the Bushido code. The art
has a way of protecting itself from
the "money hungry" and those with hidden
agenda of the modern world. The
secrets, therefore, remain hidden within the
kata of Kenjutsu.
Kata (prearranged forms or exercises) are
the usual way of learning the intricate
motions required. Initially one practices
solo, but later pairs or multiple kenshi
kata are performed. The standard practice
tool is either a bokken or an
live blade. Actual cutting, and thrusting of
the blade against water soaked rolled mats
and bamboo poles, called tameshigiri, give
the more advanced exponent practice in
actual impact of the live blade against a
target.
To sum up unique point of the teaching was
the concept of Muso-ken, "no-thought sword",
the tenets of which are reflected in the
aphorism:
"In
sword, no sword - sword becomes one with the
body
In body, no body - body becomes one with the
Kami (divine spirit)
Like a firefly circling, shining with
natural brilliance
No hesitation, no deception, no thought, no
barrier..."
Class
Schedules
Kenjutsu
