Welcome to the Satori Kan

Kenjutsu Dojo

Sword history and club information

The sword is perhaps not the most ancient weapon of Japan, but it was the most sophisticated one, and for a number of centuries occupied the central and most important position in the martial training of the Bushi. Forging and metal-working were known to the Japanese at least two centuries before the Christian era. Iron swords have been found in the stone crypts and dolmens which date from the Kofun-Bunka period (400 B.C. - 700 A.D.) and they bear witness to the technical and artistic advancement of the Japanese culture of these times. Most historians agree, however, that the first appearance of the shape and style of the blade which we call the "Nippon-To" took place somewhere n the early 8th century. This development is legendarily attributed to a smith by the name of Amakuni who lived in the province of Yamato.

The Nippon-To is called the soul of the Bushi. It was the symbol of everything that he represented and he was never without it: he lived by it, and he died by it. Further it allied his whole being, in the most intimate way possible, to the question of life and death. He was faced with the necessity of transcending the ordinary concept of life and death and this state of mind was called "Seishi O Choetsu". It was this internal struggle which brought about a change of inner attitude and this gave to the sword a double purpose: the external one of cutting down that which opposed the will of its owner himself, and the internal one of cutting through the Ego of the owner himself, and thus enabling him to attain a spiritual awakening. In this way the sword came to symbolise moral qualities such as Loyalty, Self-sacrifice, Honour, Sincerity, Justice and Courage.

Historically, it may be said that the forging of the sword evolved in perfect harmony with the different methods of handling it, and in this way the Nippon-To become one of the finest works of art ever produced, and this was incorporated into a highly elaborate system of combat, and thus combined both beauty and use. The use of the sword was initiated under two principal headings: KENJUTSU and IAIJUTSU. It is through the study of these two practices that one can perhaps best understand and appreciate the basic Spirit of the Martial Arts.

Kenjutsu is the method of handling a sword once it is drawn and out of the scabbard. It is what is generally known as classical swordsmanship proper. It was this aspect which was considered to be, by far, the most important aspect of the two, and it was here, that the greatest emphasis was placed in the training of a swordsman. During the course of its history, Kenjutsu was called by various different names according to the fashion of the times, or, according to the varied philosophical or political propensity inherent in a particular school. It was called Heiho, Kenpo, Toho, Gekken, Hyodo, Tojutsu, Tachiuchi, Hyodo, and so one. However Kenjutsu is now the most widely used word to designate the art of classical swordsmanship.

* Important information*

"We believe that "honesty" is the best policy at our dojo, there are many clubs and dojo’s claiming to be of an ancient koryu and lineage from Japan etc. We would like to inform you that although we have benefitted from traditional instruction from many instructors such as Sensei’s Sueyoshi Akeshi & Jorge Rossa (Mugen ryu), Okumitsu Fuji (Seitei iaido/kenjutsu/kendo) the Satori Kan Dojo is "NOT" a traditional lineage style of kenjutsu. We make the upmost dedicated and strictest effort to adhere to the traditional teachings of Japanese swordsmanship, Satori Kan is the name of the Dojo not the style of swordsmanship we study – thank you."

We study every Saturday morning at Byker community centre, Headlam street Byker (Newcastle) from 10am till 12pm

Study is open to both male and females over seventeen years of age.

£5 per lesson - first lesson is free

For further details please contact

john@kurinami.wanadoo.co.uk