Bujinkan Iaijutsu

PUBLISHED 31 AUGUST 2025

Wataru Tezuka Demonstrates Sword Drawing at Hombu Dojo

A new YouTube video from Japan shows top-level Bujinkan teacher Wataru Tezuka demonstrating the art of drawing the sword at the hombu dojo. The clip provides a rare look at iaijutsu—or battōjutsu, as it was once known—within a Bujinkan setting.

Iaijutsu is the combative quick-draw method of unsheathing a katana to cut in a single, fluid motion. Historically, it remains unclear when iaijutsu became a distinct term, or when drawing techniques first emerged as a separate area of training. In most cases, battōjutsu developed as part of classical ryū, integrated with the broader body of kenjutsu (swordsmanship).

In the video, Tezuka shows multiple ways to release the blade from its scabbard:

• Stepping forward into a draw-and-cut motion.

• From a seated position, rising with the draw.

• Dropping to the knee, cutting as the blade clears the saya.

He also demonstrates vertical and horizontal cuts, employing both regular and reverse grips. Each variation emphasizes speed, timing, and precision—the hallmarks of iaijutsu.

Tezuka has trained under Bujinkan founder Masaaki Hatsumi for many years and holds a high rank within the organization. Based in Chiba Prefecture, he leads a weekly class where he passes on the arts he has absorbed from decades of study.

For practitioners, the clip offers more than technique—it captures the living transmission of classical skills adapted within the Bujinkan framework. Iaijutsu is not just about drawing a sword; it is about correct body mechanics, posture, and the ability to move decisively in a moment of danger.

By showcasing these methods, Tezuka provides students around the world with insight into the subtle mechanics of sword drawing — an art that continues to fascinate and challenge martial artists centuries after its creation.