Kenjutsu

Kenjutsu

Infobox martial art
logo =
logocaption =
logosize =



imagecaption = Modern "kenjutsu" practitioners giving a demonstration at the Devonian Botanical Garden in Devon, Alberta, Canada (2005).
imagesize = 300px
name = Kenjutsu
(剣術)
aka =
focus = Weaponry
hardness = Non-competitive
country = Flagicon|Japan Japan
creator = Miyamoto Musashi
parenthood =
famous_pract =
olympic = No
website =

Nihongo|Kenjutsu|剣術 is the Japanese martial art specializing in the use of the Japanese sword (katana).

Generally, kenjutsu takes the form of partnered practice exercised through "kata" (pre-arranged forms, as opposed to competition, solo, or freestyle practice). A practitioner of kenjutsu is called a kenjutsuka.

Kenjutsu is the core means by which "koryū" train their students to employ the Japanese swords against a variety of classical weapons, while indoctrinating the student in the combative mindset of the school. Therefore, kenjutsu can be seen as an integral aspect of all classical Japanese sword school curricula.

Today most "koryū" schools continue to employ kenjutsu as part of their curriculum. Some are even thriving on a relatively small scale. Schools (or "ryū") such as Yagyū Shinkage-ryū, Katori Shinto-ryū, Kashima Shinto-ryū, Kashima Shin-ryū, Kashima Shinden Jikishinkage-ryū, Hyoho Niten Ichi-ryū are some of the more famous still existing. Some of these schools trace their lineage to the early years of the Tokugawa shogunate. Many other schools can legitimately trace their history from the founder dating back to the 14th century, such as Maniwa Nen-ryū (founded: 1368) or Tatsumi-ryū (founded: Eishō era 1504-1521) or Kashima Shin-ryū (founded: ca. 1450).

Confusion with other practices

Kenjutsu should not be confused with "iaidō" or "iaijutsu". Iaidō is a modern development with sporting, artistic, and meditative features. The role of "iaijutsu" is as a practice performed against an opponent who is visualized most often to be armed with a sword. There is often strong biomechanical symbiosis between the "iaijutsu" and kenjutsu of most schools. "Iaijutsu" allows the practitioner to perfect the execution of techniques, body position and displacement which he will later employ in his kenjutsu without the stresses of a partnered "kata". "Iaijutsu" therefore remains a distinct and yet a complementary practice to kenjutsu in most schools.

Another general distinction between "iaijutsu" and kenjutsu is the condition of the sword at the start of the "kata". In "iaijutsu", the sword starts in the sheathed position with the emphasis on the draw as well as the few initial cuts. Traditionally, "koryū" focus on shifting smoothly in the pace of execution within the "iaijutsu" "kata" with little focus is given to the speed of draw. This is contrasted with kenjutsu, where the sword begins unsheathed, and the emphasis is on both attack and defense. This distinction is however not consistent as some kenjutsu "kata" start with the sword sheathed.

Equipment

The equipment employed in kenjutsu has changed little within the last five hundred years. One of the more common training tools is the "bokken" (wooden sword). For various reasons, many schools make use of very specifically designed "bokken", altering its shape, weight and length according to the style's specifications. For example, "bokken" used within Yagyū Shinkage-ryū are relatively thin and without a handguard in order to match the school's characteristic approach to combat. Alternatively, Kashima Shin-ryū practitioners utilize a thicker than average "bokken" with no curvature and with a rather large handguard. This of course lends itself well to Kashima Shin-ryū's distinct principles of combat.

Some schools employ a "fukuro" "shinai" (a bamboo sword covered with leather or cloth) under circumstances where the junior student lacks the ability to safely control a "bokken" at full speed or as a general safety precaution. It should be noted that the practice of using a bamboo sword was not adopted from kendo. In fact, the "fukuro shinai" dates as far back as the 15th century.

Nitōjutsu

period (1504-1521), contain extensive "nitōjutsu" curricula while also preceding the establishment of Musashi’s Hyoho Niten Ichi-ryū.

Disciplines

*Battōjutsu
*Tojutsu

Notable Kenjutsuka

*Miyamoto Musashi
*Takeda Shingen

Sources

* Classical Warrior Traditions of Japan - 3-volume set by Diane Skoss (Koryu Books):
** Koryu Bujutsu: Classical Warrior Traditions Of Japan ISBN 1-890536-04-0
** Sword & Spirit: Classical Warrior Traditions Of Japan, Volume 2 ISBN 1-890536-05-9
** Keiko Shokon: Classical Warrior Traditions of Japan, Volume 3 ISBN 1-890536-06-7

ee also

* Ninjutsu
* Taijutsu (unarmed fighting)
* Kendo (shinai fighting)

External links

* [http://koryu.com/guide/kenjutsu.html Koryu.com Guide to Kenjutsu]
* [http://www.shinkageryu.us/ Shinkageryu.us Guide to a school of Kenjutsu, Shinkageryu]


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Kenjutsu — del estilo Niten Ichi Ryu El Kenjutsu es un arte marcial japonés tradicional del koryu budo (kobudo). Existen varias escuelas (ryu) cuyo objetivo es enseñar a combatir de manera eficiente con el sable japonés. La práctica puede desarrollarse de… …   Wikipedia Español

  • Kenjutsu — (jap. 剣術) bedeutet „Schwert Künste“ und wird oft als Oberbegriff für die traditionellen Schwertschulen Japans gehandhabt, aus denen sich unter anderem das moderne Kendō entwickelt hat. Praktizierende des Kenjutsu heißen Kenshi (剣士).… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Kenjutsu — Miyamoto Musashi est un des samouraïs les plus emblématiques du kenjutsu. Il est célèbre pour sa technique des deux sabres encore enseignée dans la Hyoho Niten Ichi Ryu (Estampe de Utagawa Kuniyoshi) …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Kenjutsu — El Kenjutsu (剣術) es un arte marcial japonés tradicional o koryu budo. Existen varias escuelas, cuyo objetivo es enseñar a combatir de manera eficiente con la espada japonesa. Este Arte Marcial es uno de los que alguna gente la dice absoluto,… …   Enciclopedia Universal

  • L'avenir Du Kenjutsu — Cet article fait partie de la série Kenshin le vagabond Personnages Volumes 1 2 3 4 …   Wikipédia en Français

  • L'avenir du kenjutsu — Cet article fait partie de la série Kenshin le vagabond Personnages Volumes 1 2 3 4 …   Wikipédia en Français

  • L'avenir du Kenjutsu — est le cinquième volume du manga Kenshin le vagabond. Sommaire 1 Résumé par chapitres 1.1 Le combat de Yahiko (première partie) 1.2 Le combat de Yahiko (deuxième partie) …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Kasumi Shinto-ryu Kenjutsu — infobox koryu nationality = Traditional Japanese martial art school = Kasumi Shinto ryūfn|a imagecaption = founder = Musō Gonnosuke Katsuyoshifn|b (夢想權之助勝吉) founder dates = fl. c.17th century period founded = Mid Edo period date founded = c.17th… …   Wikipedia

  • Shinobi kenjutsu — Le shinobi kenjutsu (忍者剣術) est un art martial japonais de maîtrise du sabre (kenjutsu) ninto. Contrairement à la pratique conventionnelle du kenjutsu, établie par les samouraïs, le shinobi kenjutsu s affranchit du formalisme du bushido pour ne… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Techniques de kenjutsu — Cette page répertorie les principales techniques de kenjutsu, la maîtrise du sabre japonais ou nippon to, le faîte du budo. En aucun cas cette page prétend remplacer l enseignement éclairé d un maître d armes. Les principes de la gestion de l… …   Wikipédia en Français

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”