TAUGHT ARTS.

The Association aims to preserve, develop and transmit Japanese martial arts, as well as their cultural, artisanal, historical and philosophical implications, among others. To achieve this goal, the association develops in particular: training sessions, demonstrations, seminars, courses, conferences, excursions, open days, participation in third-party events, exhibitions, promotional products. particular activity, collaborations with third parties, among others.

The art of wielding the katana (刀)

We are dedicated to the practice, preservation of skills and combat techniques as they might have been in the samurai era, particularly the art of wielding the katana. The katana is the traditional Japanese sword.

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The Association practices Ryūshin Shōchi Ryū, the style whose teaching was transmitted to us by YAHAGI Kunikazu Sōke, whose knowledge was received by his master KAWABATA Terutaka Sōke. The roots of this style can be traced back to the 16th century. We perpetuate these 500 years of history, passed down from generation to generation.

We specialise in the following disciplines:

Iai (居合)

Art of drawing and slashing one or more opponents with a katana in one breath, from its position stored in its scabbard. Its origins date back over 500 years to the Sengoku era (戦国時代).

It is the fusion of the art of drawing and the art of slicing. This Japanese martial art is mainly composed of forms and drawing techniques which lead to one or a succession of decisive cuts, ending with a sheathing of the katana.

There is no other example in the world of a martial art in which the movements of the sword, including the movements from drawing to sheathing have been established as a highly skilled martial art. Due to its typically Japanese shape and the wielding of the katana, which symbolises Japanese martial arts, iai is sometimes described as “the most Japanese of all Japanese martial arts”. 1

Bokutōjutsu (木刀術)

Martial art of fighting with a wooden katana.

The art of fighting with a wooden katana replaces the metal katana. The generic term for this art is kenjutsu (剣術).

It is an ancient martial art that uses the katana and is the origin of the modern Japanese martial art of kendō. In the 18 general martial arts designated as martial arts that samurai had to learn during the Edo period, kenjutsu and iai were separated. In kenjutsu, it was understood at the time that the katana had to be drawn from the scabbard and on guard. This seems to have been recognised as kenjutsu. The iai, on the other hand, started from the scabbard or from a seated position. 2

Taijutsu (体術)

Art of unarmed combat.

This is an old generic name for unarmed combat methods, sometimes known by other names. Taijutsu is a very ancient combat art. Identified as a variation of kumiuchi, it is recognized as being the precursor of other Japanese martial arts. 3

Tameshigiri (試し斬り) /

Shizan (試斬)

Slicing objects such as makiwara (巻藁), tatami omote (畳表), green bamboo stalks (青竹), or others. 4

To start, there is no need for particular physical qualities, nor a particular uniform either, just comfortable (sporty) clothes. We have belts (obi), bokutō and saya available for the first session. Bokutō are wooden swords, so you can learn without risking cutting yourself. All you need to do is show up at the agreed time and place. To participate, simply send a message. Your request will be answered as soon as possible.

If you’d like to learn these techniques passed down from generation to generation, join our association today!

References

  1. Wikipedia. 居合術. ウィキペディア. https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%B1%85%E5%90%88%E8%A1%93 (accessed 2023-09-28).
  2. Wikipedia. 剣術. ウィキペディア. https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%89%A3%E8%A1%93 (accessed 2023-09-28).
  3. Wikipedia. 柔術. ウィキペディア. https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%9F%94%E8%A1%93 (accessed 2024-01-26).
  4. Wikipedia. 試し斬り. ウィキペディア. https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E8%A9%A6%E3%81%97%E6%96%AC%E3%82%8A (accessed 2023-09-28).