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Japan History, Japanese Weapons
The Japanese Samurai Swordsmanship Skills
23
Jul
Jul
Samurai Swordsmanship Skills
Aside from Samurai swordsmanship, Samurai are also known for their bravery, compassion, loyalty, and honor. The Japanese warrior or also known as the Samurai has long been part of Japan’s history. In fact, they even played a significant role in the unification of the country.
But Samurai was most popular for their unique and remarkable tactics when it comes to a combat zone. These warriors have gone through a lot of training before going into the battlefield. There were three basic pillars on learning how to fight; these were Tantojutsu, Tameshigiri, and Kendo.
The Tantojutsu focuses on knife-fighting arts, while Tameshigiri focuses on sword fighting and Kendo focuses on the discipline of the warrior.
Here are the various fighting techniques of the Japanese warriors:
Japanese Swordsmanship: Three Sword Arts
The Samurai battle moves are a combination of different basic moves. In order to fully understand the basic battle moves, we must discuss first the three Japanese sword arts. The three pillars that deals with the use of swords were Kenjutsu, Kendo and Iaijutsu.
The first type was the Kenjutsu it came from the martial art called Bujutsu and this technique was popular since it demonstrates aggressive approaches. This technique teaches the Samurai with precise striking attacks.
It also trains them not to give their full strength for quick attacks. This method also inculcates the students how to kill and harm their opponent fast.
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This method also teaches the young warriors to cleanse and honor their blades before using it.
The other sword art is the Kendo or the way of the sword. This method came from Kenjutsu. However, this technique centralizes on the personal development and discipline of the Samurai.
The last method was the Iaijutsu or the “way of mental presence and immediate reaction”. The last method was the Iaijutsu or the “way of mental presence and immediate reaction.
This method prepares the Samurai before going into the battlefield. This technique also focuses on the agility and speed of the Samurai especially when they are on a war zone.
Moreover, it prepares the warriors to counter the attack of their enemy by drawing their swords out of the sheaths fast.
Japanese Swordsmanship: The Basic Training for Beginners
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Before going into the war, the first thing that a Samurai should do was to know the basic fighting skills.
There’s no real Samurai that will just swing their swords randomly when entering into the battlefield. Swordsmanship is essential for every Samurai warrior especially when they face their opponent.
We all know that a Samurai has a respectable image as a warrior since they do have a code to follow. They were also honorable warriors who were organized and has attention even with the smallest detail.
Before starting the duel, their Sensei teach them to give respect to their enemies by bowing to them. The Samurai Sensei will also have a ritual to cleanse the Dojo and to call the spirit of swordsmanship.
The first lesson that the Sensei thought was the basic cutting techniques. The most common was the “x” cutting method wherein the Samurai will swing their sword slantwise, and the opponent will do the same. This method aims to cut the neck of his opponent.
Another technique was the straight cut movement wherein the warrior will swing their sword from up to down to slice the face of their opponent.
Japanese Swordsmanship: The Battle Moves
These fighting techniques were the most basic and common for Samurai. They usually use these methods if the number of their enemies were small. The battle techniques are Yoko Giri, Kesi Giri, Nukitsuke, Kiri Oroshi, and Kiri Tsuke.
Yoko Giri
This movement was also known as the sidecut movement. The Samurai holds the sheath of the sword using his/her left hand while the right-hand holds the grip. The right elbow is slightly bent upward and the sword is above the waist. This technique aims to slash the upper body of their opponent with one slash.
Kesi Giri
This movement was just like the straight cut. The warrior’s hands were both holding the handle of the sword above their head, near the scalp. Then the Samurai swing their sword horizontally down to the level of their thighs. This technique aims to slash the opponent’s face up to their abdomen.
Nukitsuke
This movement is designed to intimidate the opponent. The Samurai’s knees were somewhat bent, the position of the left foot is in front and the left hand of the Samurai was in the sheath of the sword then the right hand is in the grip of the weapon. Then the Samurai will pull the sword fast from its sheath using the right hand. This technique aims to cut the chest level of their enemies.
Kiri Oroshi
This movement was designed to end the suffering of the Samurai’s opponent. The Samurai’s right foot is in front and the warrior’s left hand is in the sword then he/she will quietly draw the out the sword from the sheath using right hand, then the Samurai will attack his/her opponent and restrain them. This technique allows the Samurai to kill his/her enemy fast.
Kiri Tsuke
The technique was also called as the finishing cut. The Samurai’s right foot is in front while the left foot is in the back; the knees are slightly bent while both hands tightly hold the grip of the sword above their heads. The Samurai should give its full strength and it should be fast when they swing their sword.
What if there are no swords available?
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One of the trainings of the Samurai is hand-to-hand combat, so even though there are no weapons available, they can defend themselves easily.
Ancient years ago, the common method to fight their opponent was to use the Japanese martial art called the Jiu Jitsu.
Jiu-Jitsu is a kind of technique wherein the Samurai will not use any kind of weapon but only his strength and the power of his enemy. There are other methods of hand-to-hand combat like the Karate, which came from China, and other methods like the Aikido and Judo (gentle way)
Aside from these methods in fighting, the Japanese specifically designed a strategy in fighting just for their weapons. For using the spear, they created the Sojutsu, They also have Naginatajutsu for the Naginata and Kyujutsu for Yumi.
For their favorite sword, which is the Katana they developed the technique Battōjutsu and many more. Some of these Samurai swordsmanship techniques can still be used until today but they only use it for sports and not with real combat.