Kenjutsu (剣術, kenjutsu?) (Lit. Trans: "Sword Methods") is a form of
mutual partnered practice that is almost exclusively exercised through kata.
Kenjutsu in conjunction to kata is the core means by which Koryu (Old
Schools) Bujutsu (Martial Methods) train their student to employ the
Japanese swords against a variety of classical weapons, while indoctrinating
the student in the ryu's approach to combat. Kenjutsu is not a system in
itself nor is it an art like Kendo or Aikido, instead kenjutsu is the name
given to partnered exercises where one or both participants use a sword or
bokken. Therefore kenjutsu can be seen to form an integral aspect of many
Koryu's curriculum, in conjunction with other combative disciplines of the
ryu, such as iaijutsu amongst others.
Kenjutsu should not be confused with iaido or iaijutsu, where the former
being a modern developmental with both sporting and artistic aspect with a
focus on an aesthetics of execution as well the individual-actualization of
the practitioner. Iaijutsu remains a distinct yet complimentary practice to
Kenjutsu in most ryu, but this is not universally correct as many kenjutsu
ryu have no iaijutsu training in their syllabus. The role of iaijutsu still
remains as a solo practice of the sword performed against an imagined
opponent who is usually seen to be armed with a sword that allows the
practitioner of the ryu to perfect the execution of techniques which he/she
will later employ in his/her kenjutsu without the stresses of a partnered
practice.
Another general distinction between iaijutsu and kenjutsu was the
condition of the sword at the start of the kata - in iaijutsu, the sword
begins sheathed and the emphasis is on a few initial cuts, while in kenjutsu,
the sword begins unsheathed, and the emphasis is on both attack and defense.
This distinction is however not consistent as some kenjutsu kata's start
with the sword sheathed. This distinction based on sheathing has lead some
people to falsely assume that iaijutsu is a practice aimed at the self
defense of a Samurai. Based on the hypothesized that through the practice of
iai a Samurai would be able to quickly draw his sword in response to a
surprise attack. This is however a modern construct as any combatant taken
by a surprise attack would stand little chance of surviving an attack. In
addition there is also little to no focus on the speed of draw in most Koryu.
Instead the focus tends to be on the shifting smoothly in the pace of
execution of the iai kata.
Today many Koryu schools that employ kenjutsu a part of their curriculum
are intact and some are even thriving on a relatively small scale, such as
Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto-ryu, Kashima Shinto-ryu, Kashima Shin-ryu,
Kashima Shinden Jikishinkage-ryu, Hyoho Niten Ichi-ryu. Some schools trace
their lineage to the early years of the Tokugawa shogunate. Many other ryu
can legitimately trace their history from the originators dating back to the
13th century, such as Maniwa Nen-ryu (Date founded: 1368) or Tatsumi-ryu
(Date founded: Eisho period 1504-1520) or Kashima Shinryu (Date founded: ca.
1450 ).
The equipment employed in kenjutsu exercises has changed little in almost
500 year with most schools employing a ryu specific bokken or bokoto that
while being made out of wood allows the student to gain an understanding of
mechanics of a sword without the cost of damaged blades or danger that a
real sword will entail. Some schools employ a fukuro shinai (a mock bamboo
sword covered with leather or cloth) under circumstances were the student
lacks the ability to safety control a bokken at full speed. 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. Most ryu also practice
kenjutsu at advance levels with unsharpened steel swords.
A distinguishing feature of many kenjutsu schools 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-ryu. Nitojutsu is not
however unique to Hyoho Niten Ichi-ryu nor was Nitojutsu the creation of
Miyamoto Musashi. Both Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto-ryu founded early
Muromachi period (ca. 1447) and Tatsumi-ryu founded Eisho period (1504-1520)
contain extensive Nitojutsu Kenjutsu curriculums while also preceding the
establishment of Miyamoto Musashi's - Hyoho Niten Ichi-ryu.
A - C
Japan