In this course, participants can experience the three disciplines of kenjuts, iai, gekken, and tameshigiri.
First, iai focuses on how to control and swing the sword. Next, gekken covers distancing, timing, offense, and defense against an opponent. Lastly, tameshigiri teaches how to control the blade while actually cutting through a target.
【Course Outline】
Schedule
1：Change into practice uniform
2：Lecture on Japanese swords
3：Lesson Basic Swordsmanship.
4：How to use the curve and center ridge with a wooden practice sword.
5：Gekken Match
6：Tameshigiri (test cutting)
7：Certificate of participation
8：Reference Material（Video）
Price：¥13,000 per adult Limit of 10 participants
1：Changing into a Practice Uniform
Participants will change into a practice uniform on arrival to the dojo. Staff will be available to help with putting on the uniform.
2：Lecture on the Japanese Sword
Participants can deepen their knowledge of the Japanese Sword. Ask as many questions as you like at any time.
3：Learning Basic Swordsmanship
Participants learn how to handle and swing a sword using a mogito (practice sword).
They will also prepare for the tameshigiri session by practicing the diagonal, reverse diagonal, and horizontal cuts used to cut the wara.
4：Instruction on the use of the curve and flat of the sword using wooden practice swords
Using a wooden practice sword, participants will learn how to use the curve and the center ridge of a sword in gekken (fencing) matches.
5：Gekken (Fencing) Match
Using special padded practice swords, participants can learn distancing, offense, and defense tactics against a moving opponent through gekken matches.
6：Tameshigiri (Test Cutting)
In the tameshigiri (test cutting) session, participants will get the chance to cut rolled up tatami (straw mats) with a real sword. A correct hasuji (blade angle) will result in a cut where there is no feeling of resistance to the blade.Two rolled mats, one half roll mat and one single rolled mat, will be prepared for each participant.
No matter how much power is used to swing the sword, cutting at an incorrect angle will result in an unsuccessful cut.
If the angle of the blade is correct when cutting, it will be like a hot knife through butter!
7：Certificates
At Bizenkai, when participants complete the Three Disciplines of Kenjutsu course, they are issued a Shoden (introductory level) certificate instead of a certificate of completion.
Commemorative Photo We hope that this certificate provides you with fond memories of your samurai experience in Japan.
8：Reference Material（Video）
Inaduma (lighting) The cuts for (Inazuma) are done in the following order: Kesa-giri・Gyakukesa-giri・Kesa-giri.
Kazaguruma(pinwheel) For kazaguruma, a Gyaku-kesa-giri is made near the bottom of the rolled wara followed immediately by another Gyaku-kesa-giri to the upper section of the wara before it falls.
This course specializes in test cutting, which is called tameshigiri in Japanese. After a lecture on the Japanese sword, participants will learn how to handle and swing a Japanese sword. From there, they will cut progressively thicker rolls of straw mats which are called wara or tatami in Japanese. Starting with a thin roll of wara or full-size roll of wara, participants will be able to check their control of the angle of the blade. Next, they can take the challenge to cut a double rolled wara or two separate wara placed side-by-side. In either instance, if the angle of the sword blade is correct, it should not be difficult to cut through the wara. However, this is a more specialized course because if the angle of the blade is slightly off, it will be difficult to cut the wara.
【Course Outline】
Schedule
1：Change into practice uniform
2：Lecture on the Japanese sword
3：Learning to handle and swing a sword using a blunt practice sword.
4：1st Tameshigiri（half roll・full roll）
5：2nd Tameshigiri（double roll、or two rolls side-by-side）
6：Reference Material（Video）
Price：¥13,000 per adult Limit of 10 participants
1：Changing into a Practice Uniform
When you first arrive to the dojo you will change into a traditional training uniform called a keikogi. A staff member will provide assistance in putting on the keiko gi.
2：Lecture on the Japanese Sword
Participants can deepen their knowledge of the Japanese Sword.
Ask as many questions as you like at any time.
3：Learning Basic Swordsmanship
Participants learn how to handle and swing a sword using a mogito (practice sword). They will also prepare for the tameshigiri session by practicing the diagonal, reverse diagonal, and horizontal cuts used to cut the wara.
4：1st Tameshigiri
A Cut Half Roll of Wara Cross Section
A Cut Full Roll of Wara Cross Section
A Cut Double Roll of Wara Cross Section
A Cut Side-By-Side Wara Cross Section
5：2nd Tameshigiri
Participants can try tameshigiri (test cutting) with a real sword. A correct hasuji (blade angle) will result in a cut where there is no feeling of resistance to the blade.
Two rolled mats, one half roll mat and one single rolled mat, will be prepared for each participant.
In the Tameshigiri Specialty course, participants can try cutting a double rolled wara or two full rolled wara side-by-side.
When cutting double wara or two wara side by side, a cut made at an incorrect angle will result an incomplete cut, even if the participant was successful cutting a single rolled mat.
If the angle of the blade is correct, cutting through a double wara or two wara side by side should be a breeze.
We hope you can enjoy the feeling of cutting multiple wara at once.
6：Tameshigiri (Test Cutting)
cutting a double rolled wara
cutting two full rolled wara side-by-side.
5 Wara Roll
5 Wara side-by-side
In this course participants can experience the three disciplines of kenjutsu (iai, gekken, tameshigiri) and take the challenge of test cutting while wearing samurai armor. This experience will allow you to fully appreciate the high level of skill needed by the samurai to not only move around under the weight of the armor but also the increase difficulty it brought to successfully cut through a target. A brief explanation of the three disciplines that make up kenjutsu may be necessary for people unfamiliar with kenjutsu. First, iai focuses on how to control and swing the sword. Next, gekken covers distancing, timing, offense, and defense against an opponent. Lastly, tameshigiri teaches how to control the blade while actually cutting through a target.
【Course Outline】
Schedule
1：Change into practice uniform
2：Lecture on Japanese swords
3：Lesson Basic Swordsmanship.
4：How to use the curve and center ridge with a wooden practice sword.
5：Gekken Match
6：Tameshigiri (test cutting)
7：Certificate of participation
8：Reference Material（Video）
Price：¥20,000 per adult Limit of 3 participants
1：Changing into under armor uniform
Participants will change into a practice uniform on arrival to the dojo.
Staff will be available to help with putting on the uniform.
2：Lecture on the Japanese Sword
Participants can deepen their knowledge of the Japanese Sword.
Ask as many questions as you like at any time.
3：Learning Basic Swordsmanship
Participants learn how to handle and swing a sword, using a mogito (practice sword).
They will also prepare for the tameshigiri session by practicing the diagonal, reverse diagonal, and horizontal cuts used to cut the wara.
4：Instruction on the use of the curve and flat of the sword using wooden practice swords
Using a wooden practice sword, participants will learn how to use the curve and the center ridge of a sword in gekken (fencing) matches.
5：Gekken (Fencing) Match
Using special padded practice swords, participants can learn distancing, offense, and defense against a moving opponent through gekken matches.
6：Donning Armor
After the gekken matches, participants will get to try on a full armor over the under-armor uniform.
It is not possible for someone to don armor by themselves therefor long-ago samurai would have a special retainer who would help them don their armor.
7：Certificates
During the photo session, participants will be able hold an authentic antique weapon.
8：Tameshigiri (Test Cutting)
In the tameshigiri (test cutting) session, participants will get the chance to cut rolled up tatami (straw mats) with a real sword. A correct hasuji (blade angle) will result in a cut where there is no feeling of resistance to the blade.
Two rolled mats, one half roll mat and one single rolled mat, will be prepared for each participant.
No matter how much power is used to swing the sword, cutting at an incorrect angle will result in an unsuccessful cut. If the angle of the blade is correct when cutting, it will be like a hot knife through butter! Please, come and enjoy the experience of wearing samurai armor and the feel of cutting with a Japanese sword.
9：Certificate
At Bizenkai, when participants complete a course covering the three disciplines of kenjutsu, they are issued a Shoden (introductory level) certificate instead of a certificate of completion. We hope that this certificate provides you with fond memories of your samurai experience in Japan.
10：Reference Material（Video）
Test Cutting in Full Armor
How to cut
Practice swinging a sword
Gekken
This course is geared for large groups and therefore we recommend it as an activity for company trips or groups visiting Japan.
In this course, participants can experience the three disciplines of kenjuts, iai, gekken, and tameshigiri.
First, iai focuses on how to control and swing the sword. Next, gekken covers distancing, timing, offense, and defense against an opponent. Lastly, tameshigiri teaches how to control the blade while actually cutting through a target.
Participants also have the additional options to don samurai armor, rent keikogi (traditional practice uniforms), and / or partake in the traditional Japanese tea ceremony of sado.
【Course Outline】
Schedule
1：Change into practice uniform（optional）
2：Lecture on the Japanese Sword
3：Demonstration
4：Basics of Japanese swordsmanship
5：Gekken (fencing) match
6：Tameshigiri (test cutting)
7：Q&A session・commemorative photo shot
8：Gallery
Price：¥10,000 per adult Limit of 100 participants
1：Changing into Traditional Practice Uniform（Option）
Traditional uniforms will be provided if desired. (Limited to 30 participants）。
Staff will be available to help with putting on the uniform.
Participants may also partake in the course wearing regular clothes.
2：Lecture on the Japanese Sword
Participants can deepen their knowledge of the Japanese Sword.
Ask as many questions as you like at any time.
Participants can hold and appreciate an authentic Japanese sword.
3：Demonstration
Following the lecture, there will be a demonstration
of various techniques.
4：Basics of Japanese Swordsmanship
Participants learn how to handle and swing a sword using a mogito (practice sword). They will also practice the diagonal cut to prepare for the tameshigiri (test cutting) session.
5：Gekken (Fencing) Matches
Using special padded practice swords, participants can learn distancing, offense, and defense tactics against a moving opponent through gekken matches.
Only through this course can participants experience a gekken tournament.
The moment of decision.
The matches are quite thrilling.
Creating tournaments make the matches more exciting !
6：Tameshigiri (Test Cutting)
Using an authentic Japanese sword, participants can experience tameshigiri (test cutting)。
If the angle of the blade is correct when cutting, it will be like a hot knife through butter!
When cutting at the wrong angle, it becomes surprisingly difficult to cut through the rolled mats.
7：Q&A Session・Commemorative Photo Session
Participants can ask any questions they have about tameshigiri, gekken, or kenjitsu in general. The Q&A session is followed by a commemorative group photo shot.
8：Gallery
