The Ancient Sword Arts of the Samurai

The Sora-to (sky-sword) Ryu (style) Kenjutsu Heiho (of sword-fighting strategy) is dedicated to the study of the ancient martial arts of the Samurai. We learn and apply the skills that were used by the Samurai in hand-to-hand combat with edged weapons. The strategy of the sword was the most important aspect of samurai military training. Kenjutsu can be thought of as living history, preserving principles of combat and details of etiquette of an era long past. The benefits of the Way of the sword are external (physical) and internal (spiritual) and embody timeless strengths and values that are frequently eroded by modern lifestyles. Kenjutsu is also very practical, empowering people to face the challenges of life with clarity & tranquillity. It is a potent self-defence system.

Our training centres around mastery of the Japanese long sword (Katana & bokken), the short sword (Wakizashi/shoto), knife fighting (Tanto-jutsu), long staff weapons (jo-jutsu/yari/naginata) and those unarmed techniques known as muto, or "without sword" (very effective in self-defence, including joint locks, throws, striking techniques etc. In all of our training we tend to follow the Takeda tradition of ancient Japan).

Harutane Chiba-sensei said "The goal of a regular school is to teach a person new things, while the goal of a traditional dojo is to basically transform a person into something new. A martial arts school teaches one how to kill, but a traditional Samurai dojo teaches one how to die. If you understand this, then you will understand how to live!"

The Kagerou Dojo (Dragonfly School) is based in the Western Cape. We train three times a week in St Andrew's Church Hall in Cape Town, on the corner of Somerset Road (the one that leads to the Traffic Department in Greenpoint) & Chiappini Street. To get there, look at the map. Classes are held every Tuesday & Thursday evening from 18h30-20h00 and Saturdays from 10h00 to 11h30. Dojo fees in Cape Town are R400 per month or R75 per class. Beginners are most welcome and weapons can be provided on order.

In Stellenbosch we have classes on Wednesday evenings from 18h30-20h00 and Saturday mornings from 10h00-12h00 (check the Calendar to confirm Saturday classes as the hall is sometimes booked for other events). We train in the Weber Gedenk Primary School Hall. To get there, look at the map. Dojo fees in Stellenbosch are R300 per month.
 
In Hermanus we have classes at the karate dojo at 4 Belladonna Street in Sandbaai on Monday evenings from 19h00-20h30. To get there, take the road into Sandbaai from the N2, then 2nd left into End Street. Follow it around all the way to the end (it becomes Belladonna) and it's the last house on the left. Look at the map. Dojo fees in Hermanus are R300 per month.

We also now have a dojo covering the Johannesburg & Pretoria area, please go to the website http://www.sorato-ryu.co.za/ for details.

We run a Japanese Language & Culture Course, for our students and anyone who is interested. I am available to teach classes to private individuals or corporate clients on a range of themes from general self defence to knife fighting, PR24-baton training, anti-mugging & anti-rape courses.
Check our our Facebook site at; http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=3303440540

May you live all the days of your life! - John van Zijl (Kaicho)