What to Expect
Beginning Adult Kenjutsu & Iaido
In an adult Kenjutsu & Iaido class, participants can expect a friendly, low-stress, and respectful environment where they will learn the fundamental techniques of ancient Samurai swordsmanship, with an emphasis on focus and form. Classes include a formal bow in, warm-up exercises, instruction in basic movements, and practice alone and with partners to develop and refine technique and build core strength, flexibility, style, and balance. Participants learn how to draw the sword and how to respond to sword attack through different forms (kata). Classes focus on work with the iaito (unsharpened aluminum sword), jo (wooden staff), and bokken (wooden practice sword) to support the learning of technique.
History
Kenjutsu is a universal term that refers to the different schools of Japanese swordsmanship that originated with the Samurai class of feudal Japan. Iaido, which started in Japan in the mid-1500s, is a melding of hundreds of forms of Japanese swordsmanship. It teaches matching opposition or attack immediately through being aware, being present, and drawing the sword quickly and precisely.
Uniform
Practitioners wear a white gi—cotton jacket and trousers—as well as a sword belt and black hakama (pleated trousers). It is practiced barefoot.
Equipment
To start, practitioners need only bring themselves to class. Eventually, they will need an iaito. Bokkens and jos are available for use at the dojo.
