Category: Weapons/Buki

Sashi-ai 差合 is a classical budō and kenjutsu term that generally means mutual thrusting or simultaneous attacking. In kenjutsu, it describes a situation where both swordsmen initiate a thrust or cut at the same moment, resulting in: a crossing of…

Atarito 当刀 means “a direct draw-cut that meets and strikes the opponent’s attack immediately.” It describes the principle of the blade movement from seiza ushiro. In an iaidō context, it refers to a type of draw-cut where the sword is…

Chiburi 血振 is a term used in Japanese sword arts to mean “blood-shaking,” the motion of flicking or casting off blood from the blade after a cut. In iaido, kenjutsu, and many koryū systems, chiburi refers to the ritualized action…

Sword Kanji Length (approx.) Worn How Typical Use Notes Tantō 短刀 15–30 cm In belt or carried Dagger / backup weapon Used for close combat, utility, and ritual Kaiken 懐剣 20–25 cm Hidden in clothing Concealed dagger Female samurai self-defense…

A Tachi (太刀) is a classical Japanese curved long sword predating the katana that is worn suspended edge-down from cords on the belt. It was developed for mounted combat (samurai on horseback) and used primarily before the 15th–16th century. The…

Uke Nagashi 受け流し, which means “receiving and flowing,” is a classical sword movement where you receive an incoming cut on your blade while letting it glide/flow off, combined with evasive body movement (tai sabaki). As the archetypal deflection in many…

Buki is a broad umbrella term in the martial arts that means “weapons.” It includes mêlée weapons such as the 剣 (ken) – sword; 刀 (katana) – single-edged sword; 槍 (yari) – spear; 薙刀 (naginata) – glaive; 棍 / 棒…