"As long as you keep death in mind at all times, you will fulfill the ways of loyalty and familial duty, (...) you will be physically sound and healthy, and you will live a long life." |
Kenjutsu is the oldest and most respected Japanese martial arts. Kenjutsu is the study of the science and art of the Japanese way of the sword, the Katana, considered as the Soul of the Samurai.
Kenjutsu, literally meaning "technique of the sword", was practiced in Feudal Japan by Samurai. Unlike kendo, the practice of kenjustu focuses on teaching and learning the techniques of war.
Unlike iaido, where you begin with a sheathed sword, kenjustu and kendo begin with the sword already drawn. Classical kenjutsu schools tend to be quite secretive of their techniques.