What is Kenjutsu

Kenjutsu is a general term for Japanese sword arts. Unlike kendō, which is practiced as a modern competitive sport, kenjutsu refers to the classical methods of the sword that were transmitted through traditional martial schools. Most schools base their training on kata (pre-arranged forms) practiced with a partner, usually using wooden swords called bokutō or bokken.

In some martial traditions, kenjutsu is one part of a larger curriculum that also includes weapons such as the staff or spear, or even unarmed techniques. In others, it is the sole focus. Each school has its own training methods, exercises, and guiding philosophies. Some incorporate forms of sparring (as seen in kendō), while others do not. For example, Katori Shintō-ryū kata are relatively long, involving a series of attacks, defenses, and counters that unfold almost like a story, while Ittō-ryū kata are generally practiced as a single decisive exchange.

At Calgary Rakushinkan, our primary form of kenjutsu is Aizu Onoha Ittō-ryū as transmitted through the Shintō Jūshinkai. This line represents the kenjutsu studied by Takeda Sokaku and preserved by Yamamoto Kakuyoshi. We also practice other weapons (kobujutsu) such as the bō, jō, and shakujō.

Today, kenjutsu provides a way to study both martial technique and cultural tradition, cultivating timing, awareness, and discipline while maintaining a living link to Japan’s classical martial heritage.

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