Shinkendo can be translated as the path (~do) of the true (~shin) sword (~ken) This martial art teaches a person to handle real swords - a katana - in an efficient way. We practice this in a safe environment ( our dojo ) with a great international community of students. Fuujokan is part of the International Shinkendo Federation (ISF). Many seminars all across Europe and the US are hosted every year and many of our students can be found here.
Shinkendo is a non-competative martial art aimed at the ability to handle the japanse sword - the katana. It consists of physical and mental training. We train several times a week to improve strengh, speed and fitness and we teach and learn focus, etiquette and philosophy as mental training. Combining both trainings allow students to become more balanced both inside and outside of the dojo.
Contact UsShinkendo is a form of Budo, or Japanese martial arts, created in 1990 by Obata Toshishiro. Obata Kaiso studied and mastered many different schools of Budo in Japan, and then came to America to distill what he had learned into a new, complete art. Shinkendo is the real way of the sword.
Studying true swordsmanship must also include proper philosophies (Kyogi) and techniques (Jitsugi). Shinkendo's philosophies are based on Kuyo Junikun (Nine Planets, 12 Precepts) and Hachido (The Eight-Fold Path). Together, these teachings promote the ideal of Jinsei Shinkendo: to learn valuable lessons from sword study, and incorporate them into our lives in order to live a better lifestyle.
Ranking in Shinkendo is based on the older, traditional system without the usage of the modern Dan and Kyu rankings. Being a great student and being a great instructor are two different things, and therefore student ranks and instructor ranks are tested and awarded separately.
The International Shinkendo Federation was officially established in 1994 in order to spread it to the world. Shinkendo is based on more than a thousand years of Samurai history, and was researched and developed by Obata Toshishiro in order to create a comprehensive style of swordsmanship that could be introduced to the world. Shinkendo is trademarked in the US, Japan, and other countries. The name Shinkendo and Shinkenjutsu are protected, and cannot be used without the authorization of the International Shinkendo Federation.
There are many types of schools where one can study one aspect or another of Japanese Swordsmanship. Only Shinkendo involves study of each of these important aspects of swordsmanship. True, deep study of Japanese Swordsmanship must involve many interlocking concepts. In Shinkendo, these five aspects of swordsmanship are like five interlocking rings.
The swinging of a sword. This requires correct body movement.
Arms, shoulders and hands are important, but leg, body and hip movement is just as important.
Many swings build stamina and correct technique allows for control of the sword
Sword drawing. The ability to draw a katana safely and quickly. Practiced as a kata and/or as part of a sparring form. While we practice mostly with wooden bokuto, we practice as if the bokuto is a real sharp katana. Also the sheating of the sword has special attention in Shinkendo.
Sparring techniques. Apply sword mastery is sparring forms. We focus on safety by controlling the sword and doing safe sparring techniques. Shinkendo is non-competative so we do not need protection (armor) in sparring. We start slow Students learn the reason behind fixed movements so we understand how to apply these forms in other techniques.
Running kata's. Stylized fixed forms which may combine many of the different techniques learned. In one, two, or four direction. Students start with small forms but advanced forms may take a while to finish and master. Students learn the reason behind fixed movements so they understand how to apply these techniques.
Test cutting. Practice cutting with a real sharp katana on tatami omote target. Once a student can control the sword we aim to let students practice their techniques on rolled-up tatami mats. Good techniques practiced during classes allows students to do good target cutting.
Aikido is a martial art that is both traditional and highly effective. In Aikido strength plays no role. Instead students learn how to redirect and use an attacker’s force against them - the harder the attack, the more effortless the defense. This martial art is taught in the Shinbukan dojo at the same location.
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The art of the long staff (Bo) contain techniques from japanase Polearms. Both spear (Yari) and naginata (Glaive) are related to the weapon practiced here. Bojutsu consists of sparring, kata's and suburi and is a great addition for serious martial art students. There is currently no regular bo training but we teach it during Shinkendo training.
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Image of Obata Kaiso doing nitoken cutting. Nitoken is two-hand sword fighting. Controlling two swords requires a lot of strength and is really hard to do correctly. Students need a lot of practice to be able to do. Only available for advanced students. Definitely not for beginners.
Find out how ...We adjust the classes based on the student present. No two classes are the same.
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Third degree black belt Shinkendo instructor. Learning martial arts since 2003 and still not finished. He is enjoying himself immensely with swords and bo staffs. Both a professional teacher and chief instructor of the Fuujokan dojo. Hoping that all his students will surpass him in the future and until that time finding ways to re-format his teaching to develop new insight in the nature of true swordmanship. For ever a student - always willing to learn..
Shinkendo students can join any of the ISF seminars hosted throughout the world. There are always a few seminars each year to visit - in Belgium, Hungary, Paris, Zwitserland, Germany or Greece. Seminars allow students to training without interruption for a couple days. A great way to learn a lot in a small timespan. The picture here is from the Obata Soke Seminar in Paris (2017) during the 20th anniversary of Shinkendo France.
