\u201cThe method, technique, or the art of the sword\u201d is what an East Asian martial art form known as Kenjutsu literally means. This \u201cweapon\u201d based form of combat is said to have originated from Japan. Apparently, Kenjutsu is said to have been created from within the \u201cSamurai class\u201d that existed during the feudal Japanese society. Furthermore, there are a number of schools teaching the Kenjutsu martial art form each following different conventions, methods, ethics, and philosophy.<\/p>\n
a. History\/origin of Kenjutsu: <\/strong><\/p>\n According to the cultural history of Japan, Kenjutsu as a form of martial art was first developed during the \u201cMuromachi\u201d era. In fact, during this period there existed three major schools in the form of Kage-ryu, Chugo-ryu, and Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto-ryu that taught this weapon based combat form.\u00a0 Furthermore, it was during the \u201cEdo period\u201d that over 500 schools teaching this combat form was made available throughout the country. In addition, this period also saw a drastic improvement in training techniques and the quality of equipments used in Kenjutsu. Unfortunately, this form of combat rapidly began to be used less from the year 1868 onwards when the \u201cMeji Restoration\u201d era gradually set in. It was eventually in the 20th<\/sup> century when countries such as the United States of America began showing a keen interest in Kenjutsu and other Japanese martial art forms. It is this curiosity shown from the outside that then compelled many martial artists within Japan to learn \u201ckenjutsu\u201d which led to its revival.<\/p>\n b. Weapon used in the Kenjutsu:<\/strong><\/p>\n There are two kinds of weapon used in the Kenjutsu, and they are as follows:<\/p>\n c. Technique involved in the Kenjutsu and training availability:<\/strong><\/p>\n In terms of technique, the two fighters in Kenjutsu basically perform what is known as \u201ckata\u201d i.e. a movement that involves the use of full contact strikes as well as disallows body strikes to overcome an opponent. Furthermore, some schools also teach \u201csparring\u201d under a few specific conditions in this form of combat. As for training centers\/schools, there are a number of them available around the world for those interested in learning this \u201cweapon\u201d based martial art form.<\/p>\n \n