What are sword classes like?

Here's a quick rundown of what you can expect at our Combat Sword and Samurai Sword classes. Click the “Classes” link at the left to see the current schedule.

Across from Target in
Fountain City — just
a mile north of I-640

Combat Sword

“The next best thing to your own lightsaber,” Combat Sword combines ancient traditions and modern technology into a fun, accessible martial art for all ages and fitness levels. You don't have to be a black belt or star athlete to start training, and you certainly don't need to spend months in the jungle with Yoda.

Combat Sword training uses padded training swords and special protective headgear to let students enjoy the excitement of sparring safely. As with free-sparring in Taekwondo and all other contact activity, the instructor and senior students closely monitor for safety and good sportsmanship. Our students also have been quite successful in competition, participating in local tournaments through the Southeastern Combat Sports Association. Click here for the latest tournament news.

The equipment is modern, but Combat Sword is based in the same centuries-old weapons tradition as Samurai Sword. It's a remarkably accessible, fun way to begin learning the way of the sword.

Samurai Sword

Samurai-style Japanese swordsmanship is a centuries-old martial art known for its grace, elegance and precision. Moviegoers are familiar with the samurai sword from such classics as The Seven Samurai and Sanjuro. More recently, Tom Cruise thrilled audiences as he learned to wield the katana (samurai sword) on screen in the blockbuster hit The Last Samurai. Students in these classes begin work with wooden practice swords (bokken) and practice the techniques and kata handed down through the centuries.

The sword discipline we teach at Broadway Family Karate is called Satori-Ryu Iaido, founded by Renshi Dale Kirby. Satori-Ryu derives from both Katori Shinto Ryu and Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu.

 

E-mail the Webmistress
©2005 Broadway Family Karate