Battoudo at Saboten Kenjutsu

Tasai Ryu: Swordsmanship for the Competitive Generation

Tasai Ryu was born from a simple question:
What does real sword skill look like in a world of speed, pressure, and live opponents?

Developed at Saboten Kenjutsu, Tasai Ryu is a modern martial art designed to meet the needs of the Chanbara fighter—not through imitation of tradition, but through intentional evolution. It is a complete system of kata, drills, and strategy that reflects the pace, danger, and decision-making demanded by freeform competitive swordplay.

Tasai Ryu emphasizes:

    Clean, decisive strikes with real application

    Tactical movement rooted in pressure-tested mechanics

    Composure after the cut—the ability to reset, respond, and remain aware

    A balance of discipline and adaptability for both tournament and dojo

This is not swordsmanship for ritual. It’s for readiness.

A Tradition of Reinvention

Tasai Ryu doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Like the arts that came before it, it emerges from a lineage of visionaries who redefined the sword for their time.

Toyamaryu, developed by Nakamura Taizaburo, reimagined kenjutsu for the battlefield—emphasizing simplicity, speed, and effectiveness. It was a sword art stripped of ornament, built for soldiers who needed to learn fast and cut cleanly.

Later, the All Japan Kendo Federation (ZNKR) created Seitei Iaido—a set of standardized forms to carry traditional kenjutsu principles into modern kendo environments. Seitei served as an educational bridge, codifying essential sword concepts for wide, consistent transmission.

Tasai Ryu stands in this same tradition of purpose-driven creation. But where Toyamaryu addressed the battlefield and ZNKR served kendo, Tasai Ryu addresses a new need: the live, full-speed engagements of Chanbara.

It provides a framework for fighters who want structure, but not restriction—who want kata that translate directly into movement under pressure.

The Way Forward

At Saboten Kenjutsu, we don’t teach tradition for tradition’s sake.
We teach Tasai Ryu—a living, breathing sword system for today’s martial artist.
It honors the past not by copying it, but by carrying its spirit forward:
Clarity. Efficiency. Composure. Purpose.

Whether you’re new to the sword or a seasoned competitor, Tasai Ryu offers a path forward—not to preserve the old way, but to walk your own.