kenjutsumanual

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GOSHIN KAI MARTIAL ARTSwww.gkma.org

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 Kenjutsu2.Objectives of Training3.Apparel and Equipment4.Gorei5.Important Components of Training6.Kenjutsu Curriculum7.Technical Know How

a.Parts of Bokutob.

Maintenance and Care of Bokutoc.How to Wear Hakama

d.How to Tie Obie.Kamae no Kata


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What is Kenjutsu

Kenjutsu is a military art form of swordsmanship. It was primarily design to preparesamurai 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) whenJapan 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 periodthat 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 20 th century, whenunarmed martial arts then became popular.

Objectives of Kenjutsu Training

A. Physical Development1. Agility and Quickness2. Posture and PoiseB. Mental Development1. Power of Concentration2. Ability to make a decision3. Determination to carry out the decision4. Self Reliance and Self Confidence5. Shoulder responsibility for actionC. Etiquette1. Respect for elders, teachers and fellow students.

Apparel and Equipment

Keiko Gitraining 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 onesfoot movements from opponent. Traditionally wore by Samurai as identification for their

social status.

Obi flat belt for tying the keiko gi

Bokutosometimes referred to as Bokken, a hardwood replica of sword.

Fukuro Shinaia 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 exercises2. Seiretsu line up3. Seiza sit (formal)

4. Ki wo tsuke attention

5. Mokuso deep meditation6. 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 others10. Kiritsu stand up

11. Nuki to draw your sword

During Practice1. Sonkyo squat

2. Kamae te on guard

3. Hajime begin or start

Ending a lesson1. Seiretsu line up

2. Seiza sit (formal)

3. Mokuso deep meditation

4. Yame halt5. Shomen nirei bow to the front

6. Sensei nirei bow to the teacher

7. Otagai nirei 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 shouldbe 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.

Zareithe bow while sitting is also called seiza no rei. It is executed as follows, placeboth hands on the floor in front of the knees to form a triangle like shape, index fingersand 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.

Mokusonormally performed after warm ups. In seiza, at the command close the eyesnot quite all the way, and form the zazen hand sign in front of navel. Your hands palmup, 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 Katathis is about your eyes, your gaze. When practicing you mustlook 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. Teitoin 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.

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

Te No Uchi- correct gripping of swordThe 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 anyfingernails. 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 handlelike 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 hedecide to attack.

Important point to keep in mind>

1.

Relax your shoulder2. Keep your left hand centered3. Elbows should be relaxed and somewhat bent on both arms4. 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 maaithe normal distance between two bodies facing each other withtheir 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.Tomathis 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 strikeChikamathis 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 zeriaithis is pretty much face to face. The swords are crossed at very sharpangle. 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 toattack 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 toopponent`s possibility to counter attack, and be ready for that.

Training Principles

1. Kihon o monabu - Give importance to basic2. Kaisu o kasaneru - Develop thru repetitions3. Jifa ni suiteControlling your own self4. Dai kyo soku keiBig, slow, strong, fast, light5. Saigo made einoku suru Never give up6. Su ha riFollow, understand, internalize7. Ki ken tai no ichiSoul, sword and body as one8. Kake goeshouting to get extra energy9. Kensenpressure 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 forkenjutsu training for suburi, kumitachi, kata and sword drawing exercises. Design and

length varies from every kenjutsu schools.

Parts of Bokuto

1. Kissakitip of the bokuto2. Mune the back upper edge of the bokuto3. Ha the supposed sharp edge od the bokuto4. Shinogithe side part of bokuto5. Tsuka the hilt/handle part of bokuto6. Kashira the butt end of the bokuto7. Accessoriessaya (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 object2. 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 thetraining.

8. Badly damaged bokuto should not be used.

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