Batto Do (Japanese Swordsmanship) — Midwest Center for Movement

TRADITIONAL JAPANESE SWORD TRAINING FOR MEDITATION, COORDINATION AND CONNECTION!

What is Batto Do?

It is a Japanese Swordsmanship which means "the way of drawing and cutting with a sword in a single motion."

It is not only about using the sword but also body and mind coordination as well as mastering the art of anticipating the next move of your opponent while being ready to defend it with dexterity. The footwork involved in Batto Do offers a superior form of concentration that improves focus and overall health and fitness.

For safety while learning, all students start with a wooden sword (bokken) before working up to a traditional weapon.

BATTO DO- FOR CONNECTION TO THE ANCIENT SAMURAI

In our classes, you will be training with the best instructors who help you to master the complicated moves traditionally used by the samurai of feudal Japan. Batto Do is a worthy pursuit that can use for personal safety, stamina building, improved coordination, and fitness benefits. With our highly experienced Batto Do instructors, it could not get any safer or more enjoyable!

We offer our Batto Do curriculum as part of our Adult Aikido program. If you are interested in a Batto Do specific seminar, or private training, please contact us.

Curious? Start your journey here

Curriculum:

SHODEN SEITEI KATA

The Shoden Seitei Kata are the basic set of kata. Their purpose is to teach basic techniques of drawing and sheathing the sword, as well as basic cutting techniques. These kata can be applied to tameshigiri in a simple manner, regardless of style.

CHUDEN SEITEI KATA

The Chuden Seitei Kata are the advanced forms. These have been adapted from many styles to provide a standard set of kata for competition. These eight kata depict defense against attacks by one or more opponents through basic footwork and sword techniques that would be used in battlefield situations.

TAMESHIGIRI

The practice of tameshigiri (test cutting) is a means of testing and fortifying proper technique that is taught in various styles.

The most important aspect of proper tameshigiri is safety. How to draw, sheath, cut, clean, and maintain a shinken (sharp sword) is an essential part of correct training. However, basic technical concepts of cutting must be expressed correctly in order to make it through a tatami/wara (straw mat), regardless of style.

There are specific standardized patterns that are employed in order to focus on basics, and more advanced cuts that can only be performed after a strong set of basics has been acquired. These cutting patterns are used at sword tournaments in Japan and in the U.S.