Gekken and the Butōkukai

Gekken and the Butōkukai

The Meiji gekken-kōgyō (撃剣興行; fencing exhibitions), the Dai Nippon Butokukai, and the survival and transformation of kenjutsu into early kendō.

Essays and Articles

【The Katōda Shinkage-ryū of Matsuzaki Namishirō】

We discuss details surrounding the martial arts and competitive practices of Matsuzaki Namishirō, master of Katōda Shinkage-ryū kenjutsu.

【Contrasting Modern and Classical Mindsets】

We examine some features of armed and unarmed grappling and small weapon styles from the medieval period to modernity and draw some parallels and distinctions between them, especially as related to combat sport and contemporary military practices.