what is the style of fighting used by Samurai ?

Question

If iwant to be able to use a sword like a samurai which style do i search for? or is it simply samurai ?

Answer 1

Kenjitsu is the Japanese way of the sword. As with all Japanese words if it ends in 'Do' it is the way, if it ends in 'Itsu' it is the practice. This means that while Kendo and Iaido teach you the way of sword fighting the practical practice of it is in the Jitsu, Kenjitsu.

Kendo has become more of a sport then a fighting art. It will not teach you proper Samurai sword usage. It will teach you rules for the sport of sword play. Iaido is more realistic then Kendo but is much different. Iaido is the art of drawing the sword, attacking and re-sheathing the sword in one movement. This was a common Samurai attack but was not the only way they fought. Iaido will teach you very little back and forth sword fighting. There is another art of Iaijitsu which is extremely rare outside Japan but it is a mix of Iaido and Kenjitsu.

Kenjitsu deals with all aspects of Japanese sword fighting and was the main art used by the Samurai. However when unarmed or using another weapon they used Ju Jitsu.

Answer 2

Hi there

Lots of things here some already mentioned.

There are different styles of iaido such as muso jikiden eshin ryu (think the spelling is correct) and many others. Different samurai clans studied their own style and followed the teachings of their own Soke. There are many aspects to the sword that one must study to be 100 percent efficient in using it in battle. Most arts practised today only focus on a specific part. This is the same for most martial arts and is one reason why people cross train.

To be able to use it in a real fight you would need to be efficient in the following skills.

Iaido ( the art of drawing and cutting from a draw)
Kendo ( the art of fencing )
Muto dori (the art of using the sword without drawing it)
Daisho sabaki ( short sword and long sword manipulation)
Kenjutsu (This is usually the fighting forms of a particular school)

Don't forget that there are different types of samurai swords all have different characteristics.

Then there are the other arts such as Biken Jutsu (ninja sword) where the saya (scabbard) is used and the blade is thrown! But your question relates to samurai so skip past this bit for the time being.

My advise is if you really want to study the sword and are lucky enough to find a school near you then start with iaido then kendo.
But beware there are very few genuine iaido schools outside of Japan so make sure you do your home work before you join!

All arts are patchy here and there so you have to make your own decisions as to which path to follow. :)

regards

idai

Answer 3

You're question is kind of like asking what kind of martial art do they do in China. There are various methods.

There are various schools of swordsmanship utilized by the Samurai. They are divided like other arts, by family systems and schools founded by different swordsmen.

Iaido (what was called in the Old West, the "fast draw"). This method utilizes the concept of drawing the sword and making a cut in one motion. As a part of the method, there are various techniques and counters that come into play. (Counters include stopping an advesary from being able to draw first.)

Then, there are various schools of kenjutsu. Each focuses on the various techinques and strategies that have been devised by practitioners of the past.

These are only the most common terms for the use of the sword. There are also various sizes of swords and combinations of those different sizes, not to mention other weapons and empty-handed fighting methods employed by the Samurai.

Answer 4

I've done a bit of research on the Samurai. I turned up a few art, there were many schools of teaching sword fighting. Iajutsu, the Kenjutsu and such. Keep in mind Samurai also studied the bow and spear/pole arm. They studied the arts of war (horse riding, spear/pole arm, bow and arrow, and sword). Some learned a form of jujutsu as well as a what to do if you don't have a weapon. The sword was a nice finishing weapon and great for duals. The bow and spear were the weapons of horseback attacks. This was way too much information... sorry.

Answer 5

jjbeard is right Kenjutsu is the sword art practiced by the samurai. All other forms are modern representations to keep the practice of the sword alive and legal since the carrying of swords in Japan was banned many centurys ago. Samurais were also masters of archery, horsemanship, other weapons like the naginata, and of course unarmed combat (Ju Jitsu).

Answer 6

Iaido is the art of drawing the sword. It is believed that the Samurai would not 'hack and slash', but simply draw and strike with a single move.

Kendo literally means 'Way of the Sword'.

I believe Iaido is the way to go.

Answer 7

you'll get a lot of answers telling you what the answerer believes is a samurai's art because that's what they want to believe.the truth is a samurai has his own art,just like any other warrior or fighter. every warrior has his own way of doing things,especially when it comes to a feudal system such as the samurai's.

Answer 8

Just Samurai!

Answer 9

Niten Ichi ryu and Shinkage ryu

Honmon Enshin ryu style of iai (sword-drawing)

Answer 10

Bushido