The Sword of the Knowledge: Reflections on the Philosophy and Spirituality of Ken Jutsu and Iaido

Authors

  • José Manuel Collado Valencia Asociación Española Bujinkan Dojo

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18002/rama.v4i1.225

Keywords:

ken jutsu, iaido, philosophy, spirituality

Abstract

Iaido (fast drawing of the sword) and Ken Jutsu (saber fencing) are two Japanese martial arts that have overcome their pragmatic character to become spiritual ways of self-cultivation. In this essay, the author presents some of the keys and fundamental ideas that support this concept. From this perspective, the mysticism of both disciplines already starts at the very forging process of the sword and spreads to the last performance of the techniques, when the player is released from all that binds him to the world through the cutting gesture.

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References

COLLADO VALENCIA, JOSÉ MANUEL (1995). Nin Jutsu: las escuelas tradicionales. Madrid: Esteban Sanz Martínez.

HATSUMI, MASAAKI (2004). The Way of the Ninja. Secret Techniques. Tokyo: Kodansha.

HATSUMI, MASAAKI (2006). Japanese Sword Fighting. Secrets of the Samurai. Tokyo: Kodansha.

HATSUMI, MASAAKI (2008). Unarmed Fighting Techniques of the Samurai. Tokyo: Kodansha.

SATO, KANZAN (1983). The Japanese Sword. A Comprehensive Guide. Tokyo: Kodansha.

TANAKA, FUMON (2003). Samurai Fighting Arts. The Spirit and the Practice. Tokyo: Kodansha.

Published

2012-07-16

How to Cite

Collado Valencia, J. M. (2012). The Sword of the Knowledge: Reflections on the Philosophy and Spirituality of Ken Jutsu and Iaido. Revista de Artes Marciales Asiáticas, 4(1), 56–63. https://doi.org/10.18002/rama.v4i1.225

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