The Arts of the Samurai
Bushijutsu literally translates as "The Art of the Warrior", this style includes the study of kenjutsu (art of the sword), jojutsu (art of the short staff) and taijutsu (art of the body, empty handed self defence). Studying the arts of the samurai also incorporates strict etiquette and discipline. Each art incorporates training in basic techniques, partner practice and solo forms
At Bushijutsu, we are passionate about traditional japanese martial arts and culture. We practice koryu ("old school") arts as opposed to most of the gendai (modern) arts found today such as kendo, iaido, jodo, aikido and judo.
The koryu arts were the arts studied before the Meiji restoration (1866 - 1869) where Japan abolished the feudal class structure, effectively ending the samurai, and opened up Japan to the rest of the world, adopting more westernised culture. The koryu arts, usually noted by the -jutsu ("art") suffix were designed for the battlefield and are more structured towards practical combat techniques. The Gendai arts, usually ending in -do ("way"), have been adapted to focus more on spiritual or sporting aspects.
At Bushijutsu, we keep the spirit of the samurai alive by training in the techniques of koryu arts to help maintain these traditions which are fast becoming lost.
The Art of the Sword
Kenjutsu was the main art studied by the samurai. It is the art of combat with a Japanese katana (long sword) and/or wakizashi (short sword). Students learn basic cutting techniques, drawing and resheathing the sword, partner exercises to simulate combat scenarios and at higher levels, sparring in armour and test cutting of targets.
Kenjutsu was the main art studied by the samurai. As such there were literally hundreds of different schools from the late 1300's through late 1800's, all with slightly different methods and techniques.
After the samurai class were disbanded in 1868 kenjutsu fell into decline until the japanese police gathered kata from a vairety of schools and developed a standardised curriculum in 1895 which latter became modern kendo.
Martial arts were then banned after World War II but modern arts such as kendo and iaido were allowed to return in 1950 prompting the forming of the Zen Nippon Kendo Renmei (All Japan Kendo Federation) and oversees the development and promotion of Kendo, Iaido and Jodo.
Unlike modern day kendo (sparring for sport) or iaido (kata only), our school covers all areas of sword training.
This is comprised of five areas of study: - kihon waza (solo basic techniques), kata (solo prearranged forms) including batto waza (drawing techniques), kumitachi (partnered techniques), gekiken (armoured sparring) and tameshigiri (test cutting).
We study curricula from different schools at each rank to offer students a comprehensive sword curriculum that is also suitable for the students experience and skill level. For Nyumon we study Toyama Ryu, a simple set of kata and kumitachi to cover the basics for beginners. For Okuiri we study the Muso Jikiden Eishen Ryu which offers a more challenging catalog to expand on the basics and work more towards sparring. For higher levels we follow the Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto Ryu, one of the oldest remaining schools of kenjutsu with highly advanced techniques that more closely resembles combat stuations.
Kenjutsu consists of the study of techniques using katana (long sword) initially and later wakizashi (short sword). Students begin with bokken (wooden swords), move to Shinai and Bogu (bamboo sword and armour) for sparring, then Iaito (unsharpened metal practice blades) and eventually Shinken (live blades).
The Art of the Short Staff
Jojutsu is the art of the japanese short staff called a Jo. The art of the Jo was created to defend against the sword by shortening the longer Bo staff to allow for greater versatility and at a shorter range. Basic techniques and patterns are therefore designed to be performed solo or against a sword.
Jojutsu is the art of the short staff. The Jo is usually 128cm long so gives the user 30cm more reach then a standard katana.
Jojutsu was developed in the early 17th century as a way of combating the sword. Legend has it that Muso Gonnosuke Katsuyoshi armed with a bo (180cm staff) challeneged the great swordsman Miyamoto Musashi to a duel and lost.
This prompted Gonnosuke to retreat to the mountains and contemplate his duel where he received a divine vision to shorten the staff to allow for greater versatility and techniques thus creating the first Jo.
He would go on to found Shinto Muso Ryu of jojutsu and challenge Musashi again, this time defeating the swordsman with his new weapon. Whilst some Kenjutsu schools include Jojusu in their curriculum as an additional art, Shinto Muso Ryu remains th only school where Jo is the primary weapon.
Jojutsu like many samurai arts fell into decline after the Meiji Restoration (1868) but was later taught to Japanese Police in 1927 and is still taught to Japanese Police today. Jojutsu was revived as Jodo after World War II and included under the Zen Nippon Kendo Renmei (All Japan Kendo Federation) with a standardised set of kata and kihon.
The art consists of the study of techniques using Jo (short staff) usually against Bokken (wooden sword) and/or Shoto (wooden short sword).
So it does incorporate some basic sword skills as students need to be able to perform the attacking side for partner practice.
This comprises of three area's of study:- Tandoku dosa (solo basic techniques), sotai dosa (partnered basic techniques) and kata (solo and partnered prearranged forms).
The Art of the Body
Taijutsu is a complete form of unarmed self defence, covering strikes and blocks, grappling and throws. The curriculum includes a mixture of techniques from karate, aikido and jujutsu providing an all round art of self defence.
Samurai studied unarmed combat as part of their training. However there weren't any schools which studied just unarmed combat, it was instead part of the kenjutsu schools broader curriculum.
These arts were known as Taijutsu, Yawara or Jujutsu and mainly involved grappling and throwing techniques as in most cases, opponents were in armour so striking techniques were useless.
Our curriculum is designed to give a complete system of unarmed self defence applicable for modern times. This comes from a combination of Aikido, Jujutsu and Karate techniques.
Beginners start with learning Atemi waza, striking techniques including kicking, striking and blocking. Included in this is step sparring and basic free sparring and kata (patterns).
Advanced students begin learning Kansetsu Waza, joint manipulation techniques and Nage Waza, throwing techniques from a variety of static grabs as well as Ukemi Waza, how to receive throws and locks and get to the ground safely.
Higher level students will then learn advmaced throws and locks from strikes and weapon attacks as well as defence against multiple opponents.
This comprises of five area's of study: kihon (solo basic techniques), kata (solo prearranged forms), kumite (sparring), jiyu waza (free grappling/throwing) and tameshiwari (test breaking of boards).
Our club is based in New Plymouth, having started in 2023 and registering as an incorporated society in 2024 as Bushijutsu Renmei Taranaki Inc. (Bushijutsu Federation). Our club is made up of members who have a passion for traditional martial arts an japanese culture.
We conduct a handful of fundraising activities like funrdraiser sausage sizzles, chocolate drive and movie nights throughout the year to raise funds for the club. Through our fundraising efforts and Toi grants we have been able to purchase equipment for our club such as mats and bogu (armour).
As a community based group, all students are members and participate in the running of the club with our committee managing the club. Our committee meets a minimum of every quarter with our AGM open for all members around February each year.
Our current committee members are:
To speak with our committee, please email committee@bushijutsu.co.nz
Bushijutsu is a non-profit incorporated society. We would like to thank the following organisations for their generous support.
If you would like to support our club, please email info@bushijutsu.co.nz
Everything you need to get started
It's easy to start with Bushijutsu, we offer a FREE introductory lesson, however bookings are essential so please click on the enquiry button to reserve your free introductory lesson.
We have a once off membership fee to join so you don't need to renew it every year, just pay it once and you're a member for life. Once a member of Bushijutsu, you will receive Nafuda (wooden name tag) which you bring to each class as well as your first Makimono (scroll). You also get access to the members section of our website which contains all the information you will need for your training, advise you of any upcoming events as well as allow you to apply for gradings.
After that just pay for your classes to continue training. There are 2 options for training fees. Either a monthly fee, paid on the same date each month. This entitles you to train at any dojo in the arts that you are enrolled in as many times as you want in that month. Fees are discounted if you study more than one art. The other option is to just pay casually per class.
The only other things you need is your own uniform and equipment (depending on the art), however you don't require these straight away, as long as you have them before you apply for your first shinsa (grading).
OUR FEES
| Training Fees | Price |
|---|---|
| Casual Fee | $20 |
| Monthly Fee - 1 art | $60 |
| Monthly Fee - 2 arts | $100 |
| Monthly Fee - 3 arts | $120 |
| Membership Fees | Price |
|---|---|
| Single Lifetime Membership | $20 |
| Family Lifetime Membership | $30 |
| Uniforms | Class/Age | Price |
|---|---|---|
| White Dogi - Uniform | Tai all ages | $70 |
| Black Dogi - Uniform | Ken/Jo all ages | $80 |
| Kaku Obi - Traditional wider belt | Tai/Ken/Jo 12yrs+ | $60 |
| Hakama - Pleated pants | Tai/Ken/Jo 12yrs+ | $100 |
| Equipment | Class/Age | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Bokken - Wooden sword | Ken/Jo - 12yrs+ | $30 |
| Junior Bokken - Wooden sword | Ken 7 - 12yrs | $40 |
| Saya - Plastic scabbard | Ken - 12yrs+ | $30 |
| Jo - Short staff | Jo - 12yrs+ | $50 |
We offer Kenjutsu and Taijutsu classes for children aged 7-12 years. Adults and teenagers (12+ years) can choose to train in any or all of the three different arts, Kenjutsu, Jojutsu and Taijutsu.
Classes are divided into beginners classes, which are open to all students, and advanced classes which are only available for students ranked okuiri (adults) or green belt (childrens) and above.
Our children's ranks and adult ranks train at the same time, however they have their own curriculums that they study. This makes it convenient for families to train together at the same time whilst allowing students at different ages to train at a level suitable for them.
Regular testing is important for students to understand where their knowledge and skill is at and where they need to further develop, as well as helping them focus on their goals to achieve the next level. Our students are tested in two ways, through Shinsa (gradings) to assess ones own understanding of technique and through Taikai (tournament) competition against others to simulate the combative aspect of the samurai life in a safe, controlled way.
TAIKAI - COMPETITION
Shiai (informal competition) are conducted regularly during classes to allow students an opportunity to test their skills against other students in both forms and for higher levels, sparring.
Once a year we run a Taikai (formal competition) where students compete within their rank groups in solo forms, partnered forms, sparring/grappling and in higher levels test cutting/breaking.
SHINSA - GRADING TESTS
Adult ranks across all arts use the traditional ranking system, children's ranks use the modern belt system. At the start of a new rank, students are issued a makimono (scroll), cataloging the techniques they will be learning at that rank. Shinsa are held quarterly and students can apply provided they have completed the required study and attendance and have correct uniform and equipment.
Each rank is divided into 4 levels to give feedback on your progress until you are ready to apply for a full grade.
Adult Ranks - (Kenjutsu, Jojutsu, Taijutsu)
Ranks have different lesson/time requirements.
| Rank | Min. time/classes | Min. time/classes |
|---|---|---|
| Nyumon | 1 year/40 lessons | 3 months/10 lessons |
| Okuiri | 2 years/80 lessons | 6 months/20 lessons |
| Sho Mokoroku | 4 years | 1 year |
| Go Mokoroku | 8 years | 2 years |
| Menkyo | 20 years | 5 years |
Children's Ranks - (Kenjutsu, Taijutsu)
All ranks are min. 40 lessons with min. 10 lessons between levels
| Rank | Min. Age |
|---|---|
| White Belt | 7 years |
| Yellow Belt | 8 years |
| Green Belt | 9 years |
| Blue Belt | 10 years |
| Red Belt | 11 years |
Our Kaiso (founder) David Nips Sensei established our school in the spirit of the samurai, with 30 years of martial arts experience. David Sensei started his training in high school and soon developed a passion for the martial arts, particularly the traditional arts of feudal Japan.
The Japanese samurai arts have a strong tradition of passing on knowledge, senpai (senior students) have a responsibility to set an example, guide and assist kohai (junior students) to not only maintain the traditions but also to enhance ones own knowledge through teaching. Those senpai that demonstrate the values of our club can be promoted to instructor ranks in their chosen arts.
David Sensei has 30 years of martial arts experience. He bagan his training in Taekwondo at the age of 16 in Wollongong, Australia. He acheived his black belt and appointed an Instructor at 18 years of age.
At the same time, he began studying Aikido. It was the introduction to Sword and Jo through Aikido that sparked an interest in the samurai arts.
Already accomplished in Taekwondo and Aikido achieving Sandan in each he started studying Iaido, Jodo and later Kenjutsu and more recently Kyudo (Japanese archery).
In 2005 he relocated to Hamilton and grew a large following in his former club of Taekidokai later opening classes in Auckland. Kaiso continued his studies commencing study in Kyudo (Japanese archery) in 2020.
In late 2022, he relocated to New Plymouth and started Bushijutsu to focus more on the traditional samurai arts.
David is a proud dad of two children who also train in all the arts together as a family and is passing on his passion for the samurai arts to his kids. David is a former high school maths, science and IT teacher, but spends most of his time teaching and passing on his knowledge of Bushijutsu whilst also developing websites and apps.
Kaiso - Founder
Shihan - Chief Instructor
Kenjutsu, Jojutsu, Taijutsu
Fuku Shidoin - Assistant Instructor
Kenjutsu
Fuku Shidoin - Assistant Instructor
Kenjutsu, Taijutsu
Fuku Shidoin - Assistant Instructor
Kenjutsu
If you have any questions or would like to find out more about our art, contact us or complete the form below and we will be in touch with more details about Bushijutsu and how to start your training.
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