Kenjutsu

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Kenjutsu (剣術 – literally "sword methods") is a form of partnered practice that is almost exclusively exercised through kata. Kenjutsu in conjunction with kata is the core means by which koryū (old schools) bujutsu (martial methods) train their students to employ the Japanese swords against a variety of classical weapons, while indoctrinating the student in the ryu’s combative mindset. Therefore kenjutsu can be seen to form an integral aspect of all classical Japanese sword school curriculums.

Today many koryu schools employ kenjutsu as part of their curriculum. Some are even thriving on a relatively small scale. Ryu such as Yagyū Shinkage-ryū, Kashima Shinto-ryū, Kashima Shin-ryū, Kashima Jikishinkage-ryū, Hyoho Niten Ichi-ryū being some of the more famous batto ryū today. Some of these schools trace their lineage to the early years of the Tokugawa shogunate. Many other ryū can legitimately trace their history from the founder dating back to the 13th century, such as Maniwa Nen-ryū (founded: 1368) or Tatsumi-ryū (founded: Eisho period 1504-1520) or Kashima Shin-ryū (founded: ca. 1450).