Shinkendo

Shinkendo is the Japanese art of swordsmanship. The Founder and Chief Instructor is Toshishiro Obata, a world renowned Swordsman of the highest calibre. Shinkendo is a style of Japanese swordsmanship based on realistic, effective strategies and gradually, but solidly built technique. Shin in Japanese means "real, serious, or earnestly", Ken means "sword", and Do means "the way of". Shinkendo therefore, means the way of the real sword. Shinkendo is comprised of five equal areas of study:

Drawing and cutting techniques, or "Batto-ho" (bah-toe-hoe).

Drills & exercises with a partner, or "Tachi-uchi" (tah-chee-oo-chee).

Formalized sequences of pre-arranged fighting movements, or "Kata" (kah-tah).

Solo, skill-building focus drills, or "Suburi" (sue-boo-ree).

Test-cutting using a live (sharp) blade, or "Tameshigiri" (tah-mesh-ee-gear-ee).

Other areas of study include sword safety & etiquette, the history of the samurai and the Japanese sword, and other related topics. At first, a bokken ("bow-ken" or wooden sword) is used in training. Once the student is able to effectively control this weapon, an iaito ("ee-eye-tow", or sword without a sharp edge) is utilized. After that, a student can move on to using a shinken (a real sword).

Shinkendo teaches a person to be able to use a sword safely and effectively. Test cutting allows a student to learn the correct handgrip, correct cutting angles, proper stances and combative distance engagement. Normally, straw-matting type material and bamboo are used as targets. The practice of test cutting distinguishes practical styles of swordsmanship such as Shinkendo from the philosophical and sporting styles. Since a real sword is used, Shinkendo must be studied and practiced carefully and seriously. At first bokken (wooden swords) are used, later an iaito (sword without an edge) is utilised and after that a student moves on to a Shinken (real sword). No Shinkendo practitioner has ever been injured while using a live blade.

This is because Shinkendo is taught as a step-by-step, safety oriented method of handling a real sword. In Shinkendo , the spirit of Bushido (way of the warrior) has been preserved in its techniques, power and effectiveness.

Download and Watch the Shinkendo Demo here! (3.5mb)