Japanese Sword Fighting Classes in Melbourne
Japanese sword fighting classes and katana training in Thornbury, Melbourne are a regular part of training in our dojo. Our sword work is kenjutsu, the Japanese art of sword fighting, and it brings sword drawing and cutting (the skills practised on their own in iaido) together with sword against sword techniques in one system.
The sword is also the central weapon for nearly all of our weapons work. We regularly train it in a range of situations, including against other weapons: when we study Bo staff, it is practised against a person using a sword, and the same goes for the Jo (4ft staff), the Hanbo (3ft staff) and many others.
What You’ll Learn
- Sword drawing: drawing and cutting in one smooth action.
- Cutting technique: grip, posture and the basic cuts of Japanese swordsmanship.
- Kata: set sequences that build timing, distance and precision.
- Sword against sword: attacking, receiving and countering with a partner.
- Sword against other weapons: working with and against the Bo, Jo and Hanbo.
- Muto Dori: unarmed defence against a sword.
What is Kenjutsu?
Kenjutsu is the Japanese art of the sword, the combat sword skills of the samurai. Unlike kendo, which is a modern sport fought with bamboo swords and armour, kenjutsu is trained in paired forms (kata) with wooden swords, teaching how to draw, cut, parry and move as in a real encounter. At GMA, kenjutsu is taught within our Adults Martial Arts classes, alongside defending against a sword unarmed.
Muto Dori: Unarmed Defence Against a Sword
Muto Dori (no sword capture) are techniques you can use when you do not have a weapon and your opponent does, usually practised against a person using a sword. It teaches you how to escape, or control and disarm your opponent when possible. Training includes stopping the sword drawing action, or using special footwork to evade cuts and position yourself where you can take control and apply strikes or locks to remove the sword from their grip.
Real life examples: in early 2025, a student of our dojo had to restrain and control an intruder with a machete inside his own home. After waking to noises downstairs, he and his wife went to investigate and found a person with a machete inside their house. When the intruder raised the weapon, he applied a technique from his training here and was able to choke them out cold, then restrained them while they waited for the police to arrive.
We have also had many students disarm people threatening them with a knife. Fortunately, not one person has been cut and everyone was safe in the end. Afterwards, several of these students have said to me, “You don’t think that you’ll ever need it until you really need it.” See our Knife Defence Training.
Training Safely with Wooden Swords
All of our sword training uses wooden training swords. In line with Victorian weapons laws, there is no live blade training or test cutting. Wooden swords let you train every technique at full intent with a partner while keeping everyone safe. New students borrow ours.
Japanese Sword vs Kendo and Fencing
If you are looking at sword fighting in Melbourne, you will also come across kendo and European fencing schools. All three are great, but they suit different goals:
- Kendo is a modern sport, fought with bamboo swords and protective armour, and scored in competition.
- European fencing and historical European schools focus on European swords such as the longsword, rapier and sabre.
- Our kenjutsu is traditional Japanese swordsmanship taught as part of a complete martial art, so your sword skills sit alongside unarmed self defence, staff weapons and Muto Dori.
The best way to find out if it suits you is to try it. Book our Free Trial Classes.
Sword Training at a glance
- Style
- Kenjutsu: Japanese sword fighting, including sword drawing and cutting
- Training swords
- Wooden training swords only, no live blades. We lend them when you start; buy your own after about 6 months
- Where it is taught
- Within our Adults Martial Arts classes (16+), 90 minutes
- Instructor
- Taught by Craig Guest, teaching in Thornbury since 1997
- Experience
- Beginners welcome
- Free trial
- 4 free classes plus a free uniform. Book online.
- Location
- 272 Dundas St, Thornbury, Melbourne
Sword Training: common questions
What style of sword training do you teach?
Kenjutsu, the Japanese art of sword fighting. Our system combines sword drawing and cutting with sword against sword techniques, and training against other weapons such as the Bo and Jo.
Do you train with real swords?
No. All sword training uses wooden training swords. In line with Victorian weapons laws, there is no live blade training or test cutting.
Do I need my own sword?
Not to start. We lend training weapons to new students, and after about 6 months you will need to buy a wooden training sword of your own.
Do I need martial arts experience?
No. Sword training is part of our Adults Martial Arts classes, which are suitable for complete beginners through to advanced students.
Is it a separate sword class?
Sword is trained regularly within our Adults Martial Arts classes, in a range of situations, including against other weapons.
Is it like kendo?
No. Kendo is a modern sport with bamboo swords, armour and scoring. Our kenjutsu is traditional Japanese swordsmanship taught as part of a complete martial art, alongside unarmed self defence.
What is kenjutsu?
Kenjutsu is the traditional Japanese art of the sword, the sword skills of the samurai. It is trained in paired forms with wooden swords, unlike kendo, which is a modern sport with bamboo swords and armour.
Contact Guest's Martial Arts
Interested in training? Contact us to find out more about our classes or arrange a free trial.
- Phone03 9495 1929
- Emailadmin@guestsmartialarts.com.au
- Address272 Dundas St, Thornbury VIC 3071