Battōjutsu

Battōjutsu (抜刀術) is a Japanese term meaning techniques for cutting with a sword. It is often used interchangeably with the terms iaijutsu, battōdō, or iaidō, although each term does have nuances in the Japanese language and different schools of Japanese martial arts may use them to differentiate between techniques (e.g. standing or sitting techniques). The emphasis of training in battōjutsu is on cutting with the sword. All terms are somewhat more specific than kenjutsu or kendō which more broadly means simply sword techniques, and is often used to refer to techniques where the sword is already out of the saya.

Comparison with Iaidō and Iaijutsu

The emphasis of training in iaidō is on quickly and correctly drawing the sword, striking, and returning the sword to its saya (scabbard/sheath). Battōjutsu techniques usually incorporate multiple cuts after drawing the sword. Often the focus in any form of iaidō is on cutting with the draw (i.e. cutting from the saya, rather than first drawing the sword and then engaging an enemy as a separate action).

Significance of -dō and -jutsu

Karl Friday in his book, Legacies of the Sword discusses the historical usage of various terms in Japanese to describe sword arts. Suffice it to say, that while in English many people may dispute the use of -dō or -jutsu or else ascribe specific differences to the terms battō or iai, these differences are not nearly as clear in the original language and the words are often used interchangably. In general however, -dō refers to the way of..., usually including mental and spiritual practices. Whereas -jutsu refers to the art of..., specifically the actual forms and techniques of the style.

History

The origins of drawing the sword from the sheath and cutting on the draw are murky. Although various martial traditions in Japan have legendary founders going back many years, much credit is given to Hayashizaki Jinsuke. He is now enshrined at the Hayashizaki Jinja, a shrine in the Tōhoku region of Japan seen by many modern practitioners as the chief shrine for iai. The concept of battōjutsu may have existed before this time, but it is unclear who was the first person to actually use the term.

Schools

Ryūha, or Japanese martial traditions, which teach battōjutsu are relatively uncommon in Japan, and less common in America and other countries. This is in contrast to the relatively high degree of availability of open hand training, such as karate and aikido. Here is a partial list of ryūha which include what could be called battōjutsu in the broad sense of drawing and cutting from the saya, although some of them more often use the terms iaidō, iaijutsu, or battōdō.

Listed in the Bugei Ryuha Daijiten (武芸流派大辞典, the Encyclopedia of Martial Arts Traditions) as koryū, or arts developed before the Meiji era.

• Musō Jikiden Eishin-ryū -- Traces back to the Hayashizaki Ryū Iai of Hayashizaki Junsuke (Late 15th century)
• Musō Shinden-ryū -- Traces back to the Hayashizaki Ryū Iai of Hayashizaki Junsuke (Late 15th century)
• Suio Ryu Iai Kenpo -- Founded around 1600 by Mima Yoichizaemon Kagenobu
• Shin Shin Sekiguchi Ryū -- Sekiguchi Ryū was founded by Sekiguchi Yorokuuemon Ujimune.
• Mugai Ryū -- Founded in 1693 by Tsuji Gettan Sukemochi, who had previously learned Yamaguchi Ryū kenjutsu.
• Jigen Ryū -- Founded by Tōgō Hizen-no-kami Shigetada, its lineage traces back to the Shintō Ryū of Iizasa Chōisai Ienao.
• Tenshin Shōden Katori Shintō-ryū -- Founded in the 15th Century by Iizasa Chōisai Ienao.
• Yagyū Shinkage Ryū -- From the Shinkage Ryū of Yagyū Muneyoshi, who studied under Kamiizumi Nobutsuna in the 16th Century.

Listed in the Bugei Ryuha Daijiten as arts developed after the beginning of the Meiji era.

• Toyama-ryu -- Founded in the late 19th, early 20th century to instruct officers at the Toyama Military Academy.
• Nakamura Ryu -- Founded by Nakamura Taizaburō in the mid-20th century, who had learned Toyama-ryu at the Toyama Military Academy.

Fictional occurrences

In the popular animé and manga series Rurouni Kenshin, the principal hero uses a fictional style of battōjutsu known as Hiten Mitsurugi-Ryū that focuses on the use of god-like speed and complex aerial maneuvers.

The character Setsuka in Soul Calibur 3 uses an Iaito concealed in an umbrella, in a manner similar to battojutsu. Also, the character Mitsurugi has several stance techniques resembling battōjutsu.

References

• Wagner, Gordon, Donn F. Draeger. Japanese Swordsmanship: Technique and Practice. New York and Tokyo: Weatherhill Inc., 2001.
• Friday, Karl. Legacies of the Sword: The Kashima-Shinryu and Samurai Martial Culture. Honolulu, US: University of Hawai'i Press, 1997.
• Obata, Toshishiro. Crimson Steel. Essex, UK: Dragon Books, 1987.
• Obata, Toshishiro. Naked Blade. Essex, UK: Dragon Books, 1985.
• Yamada, Tadashi and Watatani Kiyoshi. Bugei Ryuha Daijiten. Tokyo, Japan: Tokyo Koppi Shuppanbu, 1979.