LEARN JAPANESE SWORD FIGHTING - BUT WHERE?
WHY LEARN SWORD FIGHTING?
This question is asked by everyone who is thinking about starting Japanese sword fighting training. We think that learning the art of sword fighting and the associated handling of a katana can be something for everyone. That's why we've put together a few reasons why you should learn sword fighting.
SWORDPLAY MAKES HISTORY EXCITING
History books are usually boring. However, as sword fighting is rooted in Japanese history, you are automatically exposed to it in an interesting way. Do you know Miyamoto Musashi, for example? He lived from 1584 to 1645 and is considered the greatest samurai of all time, as he won hundreds of duels!
SWORD FIGHTING KEEPS YOU PHYSICALLY & MENTALLY FIT
Have you ever seen a fat samurai? Probably not. If you train regularly, sword fighting burns a lot of calories and shapes your body. But the mind is also encouraged and challenged, as full concentration, attentiveness and acting to perfection are crucial for success in Japanese sword fighting.
3 reasons why Japanese sword fighting keeps you physically & mentally fit
The body is trained
Fighting and training with a Japanese sword is a sporting challenge for the body. The precise movements require strength, speed and agility.
The various exercises not only train the muscles, but also the stamina. Japanese sword fighting can therefore be seen as a holistic physical workout.
Become aware of your own body
The fighter gets to know his own body better during sword fighting. At the beginning, you will reach your limits in terms of coordination, agility, responsiveness and dexterity.
Eye-hand coordination must be right for movements to be executed quickly and smoothly. Through constant training, coordination improves and the body can be used faster and more efficiently.
The feel-good factor
Japanese sword fighting trains both the body and the mind. This interaction has a massive effect on human well-being. Another positive advantage is that you train in a community of like-minded people and thus also have a balance to a stressful working day.
How Japanese sword fighting has a positive effect on the personality
As already mentioned, sword fighting not only trains the body, but also the mind. Every exercise with the sword therefore also has a positive effect on personal development, as it also trains the ability to concentrate, self-confidence, decision-making skills and the ability to deal with conflicts.
In the end, all these skills have a positive effect on normal everyday life, working life, dealing with other people and life in general.
We encounter conflicts everywhere in life, the question is how we react to them. We have to concentrate at school, at work and in many other situations. Nevertheless, we find this difficult due to the wealth of information that is often thrown at us.
Learning to focus on something can be very useful. Just as we learn to deal with conflict, which we will also encounter during training.
LEARNING SWORD FIGHTING IS COOL
Who doesn't have a great warrior like Tom Cruise in Last Samurai in mind when they think of swordplay? Well, not everything in the film was historically accurate. But it looks extremely good if you can handle a katana properly and not just cut your own finger with the sword.
Who is this hobby suitable for?
Both men and women can learn how to use a katana. Japanese sword fighting is a demanding hobby, as it trains both the body and the mind at the same time. The first step is to be willing to practise and learn, as it requires a little training to be able to perform the required movements.
It's not about simply "waving a sword around", it's about coordination and speed.
Age also plays a subordinate role, but you should feel healthy and fit, as sword fighting also trains your stamina. The most important thing is that you are interested and enjoy learning something new.
What do I learn from Japanese sword fighting?
To be able to fight like a samurai, certain movements must be learnt. These include footwork and learning the exact sequence of steps.
Basic training also includes practising basic blows, attacks and parries.
As with any other sport, when handling the katana you learn the rules and behaviours on which sword fighting is based and which determine how we work together.
What do I need for sword fighting training?
To begin with, you only need comfortable sportswear and well-fitting trainers. It is important that you can move easily in your clothes and that they do not interfere or hinder you.
Training swords are provided in most fighting schools.
THE EQUIPMENT IS EASY TO GET
As in other sports, certain equipment must be purchased over time for sword fighting training. Of course, this also includes a sword, bokken or shinai. Fortunately, the necessary equipment is easy to order on the Internet.
If you like this hobby and would like to continue practising it, you can look around for your own katana. Perhaps you will find it in our Shop.
How dangerous is this hobby?
For the samurai, the correct use of the katana was vital, as they did not train for fun or to compensate for their job.
The purpose of the samurai's training was to face an enemy at some point and survive the fight.
Don't worry! However, this will not be the aim of your training, as you will meet a partner who wants to learn the art of sword fighting and how to use the katana together with you.
For this reason, a great deal of emphasis is placed on calm groundwork and the correct execution of movements. Trained instructors always keep an eye on their protégés. This minimises the risk of injury in Japanese sword fighting.
At the beginning, however, the focus of sword fighting is on training the body and mind and not on a quick exchange of blows.
How do I find the right trainer?
Would you like to learn Japanese sword fighting or improve your skills? In our directory you will find a large number of trainers, dojos and martial arts schools throughout Germany and certainly also in your neighbourhood. In our directory we list clubs and schools of all sword fighting styles.
Simply enter your postcode and all trainers in the area will be listed.
You can arrange a trial training session at most martial arts schools. This allows you to try out whether Japanese sword fighting is a suitable hobby and whether you get on with the trainer.
Friends, acquaintances and relatives are also always a good source of information. Perhaps someone also practises this hobby and can recommend a trainer or a sword fighting school.