FAQ

Q: Who were the Samurai ?

A: According to Japan the ultimate Samurai guide, A. Bennett, The Samurai—also known as Bushi—were elite warriors who eventually became the ruling class in Japan from the end of the twelfth century. Although characterized by much killing and chaos along the way, warrior dominion remained intact until the Meiji Restoration of 1868. This was when Japan shed its feudal culture and embarked on a topsy-turvy journey to become a modern nation state competing with other colonial powers on the world stage. Long after the Samurai class was dismantled, the image of Samurai as indomitable paragons of strength and morality continued as a powerful symbolic force.

Q: What is Budo ?

A: Accomplished author, Dave Lowry states, The study of budo, or the Japanese martial arts for self-cultivation, is a lifelong path toward perfection of character.

Q: What is the school’s philosophy ?

A: We train to strengthen, purify and improve the human spirit, through practicing the way of the Japanese sword.

Q: Am I too old to start ?

A: According to Japan the ultimate Samurai guide, A. Bennett, To the uninitiated, Budo may seem like the domain of athletic meatheads but that’s not what it is supposed to be about. Like a fine wine, the Budoka gets better with age and you are never too old to start.

Q: How old do I need to be to join the school ?

A: As a rule we accept students 13 years and older. By exception, if properly motivated, younger students will be potentially considered on an individual basis, but due to the inherent dangers associated with Japanese Swordsmanship, only safe, basic techniques will be taught to younger students.

Q: I have never done martial arts, will I be able to keep/catch up ?

A: The study of Japanese swordsmanship is a highly personal journey. The master is there to guide the student. A good sensei is able to guide each student at their own pace and level. This dojo is kept small in numbers, for this very reason. Its never too late to start. The bugeisha are also helpful in nature and each senior student becomes a teacher in own right.

Q: I am not very fit, will I be able to endure the training ?

A: The workout is light to moderate, for the most part. Some sessions are more strenuous than others, but as you train you become forged and fit. Twice a year we have Shugyo sessions, which are meant to be extreme and to push the student beyond their comfort zone. This is to forge mental strength and build spirit within the student. Don’t worry, you will soon be comfortable with the level of intensity.

Q: Do you have belts, like in karate ?

A: We follow a traditional ranking system. A student is awarded an offical licence of competency in the school’s techniques after 3 to 5 years study on average. This prestigious certification is not awarded lightly as it includes a menkyo, a license to teach the school’s technique and system and the student will undergo a rigorous grading ceremony before qualifying for the license. Each student is different and requires more or less time to reach this point in their journey. For the most part, we focus on the way and let the way lead us to the correct place. Its not about belts or rank at all.

Q: Do I need any equipment to start off with ?

A: No not at all. You can come to training in a tracksuit and tekkies. We will show you what you need and have some spare equipment to use, in order to get started. We realize that this specific martial art is equipment intensive and that quality equipment is quite expensive, therefor we never put pressure on a student to buy all the equipment at once. We build up our arsenal gradually over time. We will even help you get the right equipment together. Check out this exclusive member service.

Q: What if I can’t make training ?

A: We understand that we live in modern times and that our schedules vary. As such it will never be held against you if you can’t make training. Like mentioned before, Japanese swordsmanship is a highly personal journey and it’s up to you, as to how you progress on this journey. It must be stated that there are a lot of mind games at play during the practice of Budo and the mind often protests at any sign of effort or discomfort, thus filling the student with doubt and excuses. This is a natural part of Budo practice and is a test for the student to face and pass time and time again. After a while the training sessions become routine and a source of great joy and fullfillment. This is the goal to be attained and the student must always endeavor to fight doubt at all cost.

Q: Where do we train ?

A: I usually train my personal students at their place of residence or an agreed upon venue.

Q: Why do we train in such an “impractical” martial art ?

A: Japanese swordsmanship is a skill that is, for the most part, long forgotten, outdated and dead from a warfare perspective. The introduction of the gun in Japan, soon led to the end of those mystical swordsmen who were magicians with their sword-skills. But over the years, swordsmanship had survived. Why, you may ask with good right too. The answer is complex and deep and a whole study unto itself, but the answer may be found in the definition of modern Budo. Jutsu gave way to Do. Art became a way. A way to what ? A way to a good and fulfilled life. Human beings need cultivation, like a good vine on a wine farm. They need pruning, training, discipline, to find and enhance the best within themselves, to cultivate a virtuous, moral, values driven character. To exude impurities, to learn to be brave and mentally strong. Today’s life boasts its own very unique set of challenges. A samurai mindset is as powerful today as it had been in feudal Japan. A samurai mindset breeds purpose, self assurance, resolve, calm, determination and above all, endless endurance. The forging process undergone by the student, whilst training in Japanese swordsmanship, creates a spirit of ultimate strength, that is so obvious when encountered by the uninitiated, that a symbolic sword never needs to be drawn. Samurai walk amongst us, even though they may not always wear the two swords of their class. This mindset grows stronger over time and as our bodies start deteriorating in physical strength, through the onset of old age, the mental strength of the swordsman improves over time, thus driving him or her on well into their advanced years. This may be seen in the many elderly sensei practicing the martial arts, all over the world. The idea is that a swordsman endures until they expire, and that this process be very close to the way they had lived. Thus the samurai ideal of dying a good death may be obtained through the pursuit of good and right life. A swordsman’s life is never something to be given cheaply. Therefore our training is always done with a serious mindset, always knowing that our swords, remain instruments of death, and only through the cultivation of the right mind, we may use them to cultivate life, for ourselves, and to serve our community according to the seven virtues of Bushido.

Q: Can women train in this art ?

A: It is a lesser known fact, that women played a significant warrior role in feudal Japan and as such, there are many tales of women warriors, bushi, fighting alongside the men folk. Women made especially good archers and adopted the Naginata as their weapon of choice. As the Naginata is a ranged weapon it suits the unique traits of the woman warrior. Women are certainly most welcome at the Ronin Katsujinken Dojo.

Q: When do you train ?

A: We train at determined times with the student. The true bugeisha never stops training though. In Japanese swordsmanship we cultivate something called Zanshin, lingering awareness in short. A swordsman must always, always show zanshin, in any and all circumstances of life, thus we are always in a state of mental alertness and as such are always busy with one form of training or another

Q: Is this a sport and do you compete?

A: This is not a sport. It is the deep study of martial arts. As such we compete with ourselves, in order to overcome our weaknesses, to cultivate strength. This competition never stops. Swordsmanship is mostly practiced alone, but the swordsman has to be competent in facing an opponent and to deal with the mental challenges that such a situation brings. As such we practice Gekken Shiai, read more about it here

Q: What is the difference between Kendo, Kenjutsu and Battojutsu ?

A: After the second world war, all martial arts in Japan had been suspended, banned for all practical purposes, by the occupying forces. This ban was in effect till 1950. Due to the efforts of some very commited Budo afficionados, the ban was eventually lifted, with certain provisions. Martial arts were not to be taught for martial purposes any longer, but only to keep the Japanese spirit in tact and to cultivate said spirit. Thus all the previous martial arts were turned into martial ways, Jutsu gave way to Do, thus Jujutsu became judo, Aikijutsu became Aikido, Kenjutsu became Kendo and so forth. At this stage a lot of martial knowledge had already been lost, as a martial art only stays alive as long as it is diligently practiced. Kendo was developed from a culmination of sword styles and ritualized and simplified in order to make it accessible to the masses. The principle of samurai spirit was to be retained and to this means, Kendo is taught to this day, by encouraging students to treat their shinai, bamboo swords, as real swords. This becomes very very difficult if the students have never picked up and used a real sword though.

So, in the modern era nine forms of Budo were distilled from the myriad of pre modern classical martial arts, also sometimes referred to as Koryu. Lets look at how it is described officially. In Japan the ultimate Samurai guide, A. Bennett, writes, Established on October 10, 2008 by the Japanese Budo Association, “The Philosophy of Budo” is a document that seeks to elucidate common ground between modern Budo in terms of cultural identity and social significance. It is basically a definition of modern Budo and its fundamental philosophy. “Budo, the martial ways of Japan, have their origins in the traditions of Bushido—the Way of the Warrior. Budo is a time-honored form of physical culture comprising of Judo, Kendo, Kyudo, Sumo, Karatedo, Aikido, Shorinji Kempo, Naginata and Jukendo. Practitioners study the skills while striving to unify mind, technique and body; develop his or her character; enhance their sense of morality; and to cultivate a respectful and courteous demeanor. Practiced steadfastly, these admirable traits become intrinsic to the character of the practitioner. The Budo arts serve as a path to self-perfection. This elevation of the human spirit will contribute to social prosperity and harmony, and ultimately, benefit the people of the world.”

Kendo in Japan, is like soccer and rugby is in our South African schools. All students are encouraged to pick a martial way as part of their school studies, Judo being quite popular, but Kendo by far being the most popular. With its distilled nature, relative simplicity of techniques, but difficulty in mastering them, it has become a staple for the Japanese people, who enthusiastically practice and very competitively pursue this martial sport. The competition is fierce and the spoils of victory are great. This competative nature of Kendo is very prevalent and very much alive here in the South African Kendo Federation. Competition is greatly encouraged from very early on in the student’s Kendo journey. So, if competition excites you and being the best amongst your peers is your goal, then look no further, for Kendo is definitely the martial art for you.

Kenjutsu, on the other hand, truly goes back to the time of the Samurai, focusing on all the true aspects of original Japanese swordsmanship, the soft and hard of swordmanship, tameshigiri, tanren, training with an actual katana and wakizashi. The waza is not restricted to the refined nature of Kendo where only four targets are considered, but looks at sword technique and strategy from a battlefield perspective. It truly encompasses the ART of swordsmanship. Kenjutsu, in short refers to the actions of the swordsman, once the sword is drawn.

Battojutsu, refers to the art of drawing the sword. In ancient times, life and death hanged in the balance and every move of the samurai was significant. To this effect, certain social rules were employed to ensure the safety of samurai in peace times, such as always passing each other the left side, thus keeping the drawing right hand away from the other samurai, holding the sword in the right hand when signifying peaceful intent and so on. Some Samurai Bujutsu schools devised deadly drawing methods to cut short a ‘fight’ and instantly resolve the conflict with a well placed Nukitsuke, shallow drawing cut, aimed at the opponents drawing hand, neck or other target, depending on the severity of the attack. Thus Battojutsu refers to this art of deadly drawing, not unlike the gunslingers of old.

Q: Who is the IBF ?

According to the IBF’s website the International Batto-Do Federation (IBF for short) is an organization of Battodo to include Toyama Ryu Iaido and Nakamura Ryu Battodo, organized by Nakamura Taisaburo Soke. The organisation’s head dojo is situated in Yokohama, Japan. Their creed is, Not being killed by others, not killing others.

A short history of the IBF on the site states:

In 1952, Nakamura Ryu Battodo was created.

In 1975, renamed “Gunto no Soho” (軍刀の操法, Military Sword-handling Techniques, so-called “Toyama Ryu Iai Do”) that was created in 1925 at the former Imperial Army Toyama Military Acadmy and released in 1932, as “Toyama Ryu Batto-jutsu”.

In 1976, “All-Japan Toyama Ryu Batto-jutsu Promotional Federation” (Zen Nippon Toyama Ryu Batto-jutsu Shinko Renmei 全日本戸山流抜刀術振興連盟) was formed.

In April 1979, the All-Japan Toyama Ryu Batto-jutsu Promotional Federation was renamed as “All-Japan Toyama Ryu Iaido Federation” (Zen Nippon Toyama Ryu Iaido Renmei 全日本戸山流居合道連盟) .

In February 1980, “All-Japan Batto-jutsu Federation” (Zen Nippon Batto-jutsu Renmei 全日本抜刀術連盟) was formed.

In 1991, “International Iai Batto-Do Federation” (Kokusai Iai Batto-Do Renmei, 国際居合抜刀道連盟）was formed…

In April 1999, the International Iai Batto-Do Federation (Kokusai Iai Batto-Do Renmei) was renamed as “International Batto-Do Federation” (Kokusai Batto-Do Renmei 國際抜刀道連盟).

On May 15, 2003, Nakamura Taisaburo passed away at the age of 92 years old.

In 2004, Tomoko Nakamura, the second daughter of Nakamura Taisaburo, was appointed as the second generation “Soke” of Nakamura Ryu and the president of International Batto-Do Federation.

Q: Where does the name Ronin Katsujinken Dojo come from ?

A: A ronin is a masterless samurai. These samurai are often romanticized in samurai movies and made to look idyllic traveling the countryside with their straw hats and summer kimonos. The reality of the ronin were far more harsh than depicted in these movies. They effectively became masterless, lost their jobs, their income, their status and means to survive. Life for them became a daily struggle for survival. Some clinged to their morals and bushido code, whilst others became vagrants, scoundrels, thieves and murderers. Finding the way of the sword had been just such a struggle for me. I have always loved the samurai and their ways and had always dreamed of learning Japanese Swordsmanship, but moving to Japan had never realised for me. Eventually I had found some valuable exposure to the japanese sword through my Ninjutsu studies and thereafter my Kendo studies, but it was not true Kenjutsu, and my heart kept yearning. Eventually I found my sensei, Dana Abbott and forged a strong student/teacher relationship with him. He continues to unselfishly demystify the intricate art of swordsmanship for me. I am keen to share this hard earned knowledge with you in person. As such I felt and keep on feeling a little bit like a Ronin. Katsujinken means life giving sword and that is my true desire, to teach you swordsmanship as a means of improving your everyday life. Henceforth the name, the masterless samurai’s life giving sword place of doing. For in this school we do. Actions speak far louder than words, than certificates on walls or belts around our waist. We never posture and always train in the spirit of utmost humility and gratitude for this great art that has been passed on to us.

Hope to welcome you to the family soon. Ganbatte Kudesai. Always do your best.