Swordfighting is a mainstay of both anime and chanbara (“samurai movie”) cinema. Many films make reference to specific styles of kenjutsu or Japanese swordsmanship, such as the Yagyu Shinkage Ryu (the bad guys in the “Lone Wolf and Cub” series), the Tennin Rishin Ryu (sword style of the Shinsengumi) and Miyamoto Musashi's Niten Ichi Ryu.

A “ryu” is a school, style or tradition in any classical Japanese art form. In the samurai era, hundreds of distinct ryu existed for the study of swordsmanship, spearfighting and other martial arts. Every ryu is based on the “secrets” or principles of combat strategy created by its founders from their own experiences on the battlefield or in duels.

For instance, the Jigen Ryu of swordsmanship emphasizes extreme ferocity and the cultivation of a strike powerful enough to cut through any attempted parry, while the Itto Ryu emphasizes winning with a single well-placed counterattack, often to the forearm of a striking opponent. The Shinkage Ryu focuses on the development of a mindset without preconceptions or delusions, allowing the swordsman to preempt his opponent's strategies.

All of the ryu I've mentioned in this blog still exist today, as do dozens of others. It is still possible to train in the sword traditions of the samurai warriors. Fans of anime and chanbara, however, are strongly advised to leave their preconceptions at home before visiting a kenjutsu dojo. Like most other aspects of traditional Japanese culture, kenjutsu schools will expect you to conform to their way of doing things- not the other way around.