Batto-Do or Batto-Jutsu is the practice of drawing and cutting in a single motion within the arts of Japanese swordsmanship. These methods have been taught and carefully transmitted from one generation to the next since Japans feudal era when the life as a Samurai depended a great deal on his skill with the katana. Practice in this art begins with a bokuto, a wooden sword where the student learns the 8 basic postures, 8 directional cuts and 8 re-sheathings. The number 8 has great significance in the East and represents eternity, therefore any number of variations exist leaving the swordsman with innumerable possibilities. Kata are taught as a protection against the arbitrary and are a fundamental method for teaching and understanding principles such as posture, footwork, and moving in unison with the sword. At the intermediate level the student trains with an iato which is a real sword that is purposely unsharpened for safety in practice. At this point the student learns kumitachi, or partner sets where principles of timing and distancing are refined as two swordsman face-off in a set of predetermined kata. At the advanced level students use a shinken or sharpened sword to test their skills in cutting using rolled up tatami (straw mats) as targets in what is called tameshigiri. At this stage kumite or sparring is also utilized to bring all these principles together and teach the student to read their opponent.

Anyone desiring to learn these methods must possess a great deal of patience and focus as the learning process is long-term and extremely detail oriented (much too arduous and boring for most people). Although progress may seem slow dedicated training in Batto-Do dramatically sharpens awareness, enhances coordination, and perfects concentration.

Class Schedule:

Wednesday: 8-9:00 p.m. Basics

Saturday: 8-9:00 a.m. Intermediate