At the Yamakawa Dojo several styles or kenjitsu (sword techniques) are studied. The purpose of training, in addition to mastering the use and care of the sword, is to teach one to face stressful situations calmly and rationally, moving the body as required to avoid injury, and responding appropriately to the situation. the three elements of training are kata (forms) performed individually, kata with a partner (kumitachi), and test cutting (tameshigiri).

 

Emphasis is on form and technique, for if one cannot cut well, he has not mastered the sword.

 

The omote, or external arts,  studied are  Batto Do Ryu Sei Ken,   Nakamura Batto Do/Toyama Ryu, and Shin Shin Sekiguchi Ryu.  The two former styles are modern, and the latter style is one of the Koryu (old schools) of Japan dating back to 1634.  Mizu Hi Kobukan Iai is a modern style drawn from several styles and is our ura, or internal art.