Sword combat often involved Kenjutsu fighting style. In addition to Kenjutsu, the samurai used various fighting techniques which inspired modern martial arts. These techniques include:

Kenjutsu

Kenjutsu is a sword fighting style that focuses on speed fighting. It aims to teach precise striking to achieve different kinds of cuts on the opponent's vulnerable parts. Some of the most targeted body parts in this type of fighting are the face, head, shoulder, hip, waist, legs, arms, and wrists. This technique also teaches thrusting and blocking strategies.

In this fighting style, you must have an adaptable fighting posture and highly developed motor skills. Acquiring these skills requires you to engage in repetitive practice to build your speed and muscle memory.

The movements in Kenjutsu take time to perfect, but once you do, you can incorporate more advanced techniques like double sword fighting. In this case, you use one sword to block your opponent and the other to cut or thrust.

Kenjutsu calls for the use of Katana, but students may use other weapons during practice. In partnered practice, students use a bokutu. During sparring sessions, students use a shinai, which may be padded for safety.

Real weapons are rarely used. However, highly advanced students of Kenjutsu may use them in highly controlled environments for safety.

Kenjutsu students wear a hakama and dogi as part of the uniform. In some cases, this uniform might be reserved for students who have passed the first level, leaving complete beginners to wear the karate gi.

Kendo

Kendo fighting style developed in the 18^th century. It borrows from the Kenjutsu fighting style. However, in Kendo, the samurai used wooden swords instead of real blades. This shift from real blades came from the need for the samurai to keep their sword skills sharp despite the absence of constant battle at the time.

By using wooden blades, the samurai prevented injuries while still practicing their swordsmanship. In Kendo, the samurai used various techniques to initiate and defend against attacks.

Today, Kendo has evolved into a combat sport with tournaments and awards. In this sport, players must adhere to a set of rules and wear protective gear.

Iaido

Iaido is a fighting style that samurai used to respond to surprise attacks. In Iaido, the samurai must be ready to draw their sword, attack the opponent, clean their sword, and re-sheathe it in a quick, seamless movement.

Iaido calls for fast and economical moves in different situations, such as kneeling or half-kneeling. It also requires intense mental clarity, speed, and responsiveness to be able to complete the four steps fast.

Since it's meant to prepare the swordsman to respond to a surprise attack, Iaido is often a solitary sport. This means that you'll usually practice alone unless you're testing your skill and responsiveness against an opponent.

Wooden weapons are the go-to for practice, especially among beginners, but they may advance to metal weapons with a blunt edge. Advanced students are often allowed to use a real sword, usually a katana, due to the solitary nature of the sport.

Aikiken

Aikiken is a set of sword fighting techniques built on Aikido principles. The style emerged in the 18^th century, first borrowing from Kenjutsu, then aiki-ken. This fighting style focuses on developing cutting techniques and movements.

Practice swinging is one of the basics of aiki-ken. It includes downward vertical cuts executed in various movements. Practice swinging is usually solitary.

Partnered practice is another segment of Aiki-ken. In this technique, you work alongside a partner to learn how to counter an attack and use your opponent's sword to your advantage.

Founding Schools of Samurai Fighting Techniques

Different samurai fighting techniques were associated with various schools depending on who developed the technique. When the samurai were still active, teaching often passed down the family line to the samurai’s children.

This heritage is how most of the surviving martial arts schools evolved by teaching the techniques used by their predecessors. Some of the schools that teach samurai fighting styles include:

Muso Jikiden Eishin-Ryu

Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu school specializes in sword-drawing (Iaijutsu). The school mostly teaches over 40 solo techniques (waza) to develop focus, proper body movements, and efficient sword use.

Students of this school require high levels of self-discipline and personal commitment. These skills build the precision and mental focus required in learning Iaido.

Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto-ryu

It is the school to go to if you are interested in samurai sword fighting styles. They focus on Kenjutsu and Battojutsu (Iaojutsu).

The school has maintained most of the traditional teachings of Kenjitsu despite adopting other martial arts that the samurai didn't practice, such as ninjutsu. Some of the traditions this school still upholds include blood oaths and teaching master (Shihan).

This school has expanded its coverage from Japan to various parts of the world, including Spain, South Africa, Germany, the USA, Finland, Argentina, and Sweden.

Niten Ichi-ryū

Niten Ichi-ryū started in the 17^th century. The school teaches Kenjutsu, focusing on long and short swords as used by the founder, Miyamoto Musashi. Niten Ichi-ryu has different techniques for long and short swords, both separately and when they're used together.

Mugai Ryu

Mugai Ryu was founded in the 17 century and focused on the Kenjutsu sword fighting style using long and short swords. Despite this, most of the training focused on fighting with the long sword, leading to its popularity in using the Katana.

Mugai Ryu followed the principle that swords were not to be used to kill. Those who subscribed to this philosophy gave their opponents an opportunity to surrender before they killed them.

Takeaways

Sword fighting was often a last resort for samurai warriors. That said, in practice, they spent time perfecting and developing sword fighting styles that can be summarized into four types: Kenjutsu, Iaido, Kendo, and Aikiken. These styles have remained constant throughout the centuries, even though the use of real swords has decreased drastically. Today, you can learn these samurai sword fighting styles from various traditional and modern martial arts schools.