KENJUTSU

Compiled by Kenshikuro

This is intended for the use by members of the GKMA Kenjutsu Class only and
never for distribution and publication.

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Contents
1. What is Kenjutsu
2. Objectives of Training
3. Apparel and Equipment
4. Gorei
5. Important Components of Training
6. Kenjutsu Curriculum
7. Technical Know How
a. Parts of Bokuto
b. Maintenance and Care of Bokuto
c. How to Wear Hakama
d. How to Tie Obi
e. Kamae no Kata

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What is Kenjutsu
Kenjutsu is a military art form of swordsmanship. It was primarily design to prepare
samurai as well as ordinary soldiers for combat in the battlefield during the feudal period.
It is a classical Japanese martial art or Koryu Budo.

The history of Kenjutsu dates back to the late Kamakura Period (1192 to 1333) when
Japan was embroiled by series of civil wars. This is due to the weakening of Ashikaga
Shogunate to govern the country and various provincial warlords (Daimyo) all vied with
one another for the hegemony and control of the country. It was in this tumultuous period
that the growth of military arts blossomed, as there evolved the need for well organized
martial disciplines to train and prepare the legions of warriors and clan members for
combat in the battlefield. Kenjutsu was one of the six ancient martial arts which warriors
have to learn, the others were Kyujutsu (archery), Jujutsu (unarmed fighting), gunnery,
horsemanship, and spearman ship.

The pre-eminence of swordsmanship continued up until the late 20th century, when
unarmed martial arts then became popular.

Objectives of Kenjutsu Training

A. Physical Development
1. Agility and Quickness
2. Posture and Poise
B. Mental Development
1. Power of Concentration
2. Ability to make a decision
3. Determination to carry out the decision
4. Self Reliance and Self Confidence
5. Shoulder responsibility for action
C. Etiquette
1. Respect for elders, teachers and fellow students.

Apparel and Equipment

Keiko Gi – training upper uniform, a jacket made of light material, should be loose
fitting, sleeve should cover the elbow.
Hakama – is a divided skirt, which allows leg freedom. It also aids in concealing ones
foot movements from opponent. Traditionally wore by Samurai as identification for their
social status.
Obi – flat belt for tying the keiko gi
Bokuto – sometimes referred to as Bokken, a hardwood replica of sword.
Fukuro Shinai – a leather wrapped split bamboo use in sparring.
Iaito- a non sharpened sword, equally resembled a Nihon to is design and weight.
Bogu – a protective gears used in sparring, in GKMA we used only men and kote.
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Gorei - words to be recognized as used as commands in
training.

Beginning a lesson
1. Jumbi Taiso warm up exercises
2. Seiretsu line up
3. Seiza sit (formal)
4. Ki wo tsuke attention
5. Mokuso deep meditation
6. Yame halt
7. Shomen ni.. rei bow to the front
8. Sensei ni.. rei bow to the teacher
9. Otagai ni.. rei bow for all others
10. Kiritsu stand up
11. Nuki to draw your sword

During Practice
1. Sonkyo squat
2. Kamae te on guard
3. Hajime begin or start

Ending a lesson
1. Seiretsu line up
2. Seiza sit (formal)
3. Mokuso deep meditation
4. Yame halt
5. Shomen ni…rei bow to the front
6. Sensei ni…rei bow to the teacher
7. Otagai ni…rei bow for all others

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Important Components of Kenjutsu Training
Seiza-literally translated as to sit properly. To sit, move left foot back a half a step,
bending the left knee to the floor with the right leg following. The buttock gently rest on
the feet. The upper portion of the body should be erect, concentration being focused to
the area just below the navel, with abdomen somewhat tense. For men, the knees should
be about a fits apart and for women the knees should be together. Hands should be on the
thighs and eyes fixed straight ahead as though to gaze upon a distant mountain. To stand,
the right foot comes forward first.

Zarei – the bow while sitting is also called seiza no rei. It is executed as follows, place
both hands on the floor in front of the knees to form a triangle like shape, index fingers
and thumb tips touching. Bend body forward, taking care not to let your buttock rise. The
head comes down to within 6 inches of the hands. Maintain that position for time enough
to take count to four, then gently rise to Seiza position.

Mokuso – normally performed after warm ups. In seiza, at the command close the eyes
not quite all the way, and form the zazen hand sign in front of navel. Your hands palm
up, left hand on the bottom, thumbs just barely touching. When finished, slowly allow
your hands to go back to the top of your thighs.

Me no Tsuke Kata – this is about your eyes, your gaze. When practicing you must
look steadily into the opponent`s eyes or to the center of his chest, but be able to observe
his whole stance, and attempt to absorb his every moves. Develop your seeing ability so
that you will able to observe even the area surrounding your opponent.

Tachi no Sage Kata – how to carry the sword

1. Teito – in shizentai posture, hold the sword in left arm at arm length. The tsuka should
be pointing to the front and the blade pointing to the back. The left thumb is relax. This is
also acceptable method to carry the sword (inside the sack) while outside the Dojo.

2. Taito- the left hand is brought up to waist. The left thumb is placed on the tsuba.

Kamae – is the source of attack and defense. It is perhaps the most important thing for
all to swordsman to study. Kamae, which literally means posture or attitude.

Te No Uchi- correct gripping of sword

The left hand should firmly grip the end of the tsuka. Remember, the smaller the finger,
the tighter the grip. When you look down to your hands, you should not see any
fingernails. The V between your thumb and index finger should lined up with your body
center. The right hand holds the tsuka just behind the tsuba lightly to insure
maneuverability. Both thumbs should be pointing down. Do not grip the sword handle
like a policeman grabs a criminal. It is more like a brush and you`re like an artist.

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The kissaki or tip of the sword must pointed to your opponent`s throat and maintain the
Kensen (sword tip focus) that will threaten an opponent with impalement should he
decide to attack.

Important point to keep in mind>

1. Relax your shoulder
2. Keep your left hand centered
3. Elbows should be relaxed and somewhat bent on both arms
4. Only grip strongly with the little and ring finger of left hand. All other
fingers should hold the sword handle but relaxed.
5. If you look down, you should not see your fingers.

Maai (combative distance)

Issoku itto no maai – the normal distance between two bodies facing each other with
their swords tips crossed, and one is able to hit his opponent by taking one large step
forward. One can also avoid being struck with a quick step backward.
Toma – this is a longer distance between two combatants. One could not quite get to his
opponent within just one step. One must step to Issoku itto no maai to enable to strike
Chikama – this is closer than Issoku itto no maai. One doesn`t need to step at all to hit or
be hit, this is a danger zone, a time to be very alert and do not linger in this zone.
Tsuba zeriai – this is pretty much face to face. The swords are crossed at very sharp
angle. Both combatants are trying to strategize a way of either striking the opponent or
getting safely back to Issoku itto no maai. To strike the opponent you have to break his
balance or posture by pushing or applying a grappling techniques.

Kake Goe (yelling for energy)

Kiai – translated as spirited shout. In the battlefield, kiai was employed by warriors to
attack their enemy`s spirit. To try to show more vitality, to surprise and depress the
enemy. The shout is to show our total commitment to execute an attack.

Zanshin – is the ability to completely finish an attack correctly, and then be alert to
opponent`s possibility to counter attack, and be ready for that.

Training Principles

1. Kihon o monabu - Give importance to basic

2. Kaisu o kasaneru - Develop thru repetitions
3. Jifa ni suite – Controlling your own self
4. Dai kyo soku kei – Big, slow, strong, fast, light
5. Saigo made einoku suru – Never give up
6. Su ha ri – Follow, understand, internalize
7. Ki ken tai no ichi – Soul, sword and body as one
8. Kake goe – shouting to get extra energy
9. Kensen – pressure from the tip of the sword

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 THE BOKUTO

The Bokuto, also called Bokken is the wooden replica of Nihon To. Bokuto are used as
an inexpensive and relatively safe substitute for real sword (shinken). Historically,
bokuto are as old as Japanese sword, and were used for the training of warriors.
Traditionally bokuto are curved from selected flank of solid hard wood. Used for
kenjutsu training for suburi, kumitachi, kata and sword drawing exercises. Design and
length varies from every kenjutsu schools.

Parts of Bokuto
1. Kissaki – tip of the bokuto
2. Mune – the back upper edge of the bokuto
3. Ha – the supposed sharp edge od the bokuto
4. Shinogi – the side part of bokuto
5. Tsuka – the hilt/handle part of bokuto
6. Kashira – the butt end of the bokuto
7. Accessories – saya (scabbard), tsuba (hilt guard), tsuba dome (guard stopper),
himo (string).

Care and Maintenance of Bokuto

1. Avoid base ball like strikes, do not hit the bokuto to any hard object
2. Treat the bokuto as real sword.
3. Lay flat on the floor or hang it on the wall when not in use.
4. Never store the bokuto in a too hot, too cold or humid place.
5. When carrying the bokuto outside the dojo, carry it inside the sack or bag.
6. Sand the bokuto to smoothen slightly pressured parts, apply enough wood oil.
Wipe clean with dry cloth.
7. Observe safety and proper etiquette in carrying bokuto during and after the
training.
8. Badly damaged bokuto should not be used.

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