The art of the sword is the premiere martial art of Japan. Over 1000 years of research, study, and refinement have produced this complex and esoteric art. Generations of swordsman have devoted their whole lives to the study of every possible variation in the use of the Japanese sword. Not satisfied with mere variations in technique, they also explored the strategy and philosophy of the sword with an endless thirst for knowledge.

The sword student trains with a razor sharp Japanese sword. (Only a real sword is acceptable for training.) Due to the inherent danger of this type of training, the student achieves intense levels of concentration and psychological tension, leading to rapid advancement in the spiritual aspects of budo.

A wooden sword (bokken) is also used in training, not for the safety of the student as some might think, but to prevent possible damage to an irreplaceable antique blade that may be worth several thousand dollars. Bokken are usually made out of Japanese white oak, or a similar hardwood, and can be just as lethal as a steel sword. In fact, many famous duels in feudal Japan were fought where one man chose to use a wooden sword against a real one and won.

There are two modern Japanese sword arts which are sometimes confused with kenjutsu. Kendo is a form of sport fencing which uses a bamboo imitation sword. Iaido consists of sword-drawing kata only and is often practiced with a unsharpened, reproduction blade. Kendo is not taught here.