Japanese Sword Training
Black Belt Hall of Famer, Shihan Dana Abbott, is a renowned expert in Japanese swordsmanship and sword training. He travels worldwide conducting intensive one-on-one and group, single and multi-day, “hands on” practical application workshops along with teaching various kata, combatives and traditional techniques. Learnthesword.com is designed as an instructional aide built around Shihan’s tried and true intensive sword training courses where he instructs the practical side and application of Toyama-Ryu as learned in Japan. To schedule an intensive sword training course, cutting seminar or practical application workshop
contact Shihan Dana Abbott directly.
Online Sword Training and More
Samurai Program
Online Sword Training
Online sword training offers unlimited access to videos and tutorials detailing sword techniques. Program covers wood, bamboo, synthetics, and steel for long sword. See Program
Japanese Swordsmanship
Package
This Japanese Swordsmanship Package is a separate training package from the online Samurai training program offered on this website. This program is completely offline. See Package
Samurai Ranking and
Training Manuals
These manuals include TACHI-IAI: Toyama-Ryu Iai-Batto-Do, Kodachi-Iai (Short Sword Course Manual) and The Samurai Sword: Introduction and Application. See Manuals
Shihan Dana Abbott
I am Shihan Dana Abbott, 7th Degree Black Belt, and an expert in Kenjutsu, Japanese Swordsmanship and sword training.
Study Toyama-Ryu With Shihan
I lived in Japan for 15 years during the Showa era attending the best swordsmanship schools in Japan. I teach Toyama-Ryu Iai Batto Do.
Over the years I have been asked these very prevalent questions, What was it like learning Kenjutsu from the great sword masters in Japan for all those years? Can you give me a few pointers on how to master a technique? What do you mentally think about during practice?
I answered these questions in the five books I wrote and published on swordsmanship explaining the basics all all the way through the fine details involved in sword technique. I also traveled throughout the world demonstrating and teaching the techniques I’d gained through decades of cutting and sparring.
Now, LearnTheSword.com brings all of my expertise to you, allowing me to view your sword work, critique it and help you polish your techniques.
Why you’ll love our Sword Training Program
Watch on Different Devices Any Time
Watch on different devices including tablets, phones, computers or TVs and train at your own convenience, day or night, week day or weekend.
Access to Your Instructor
You aren’t left on your own to simply watch videos, you have access to your instructor.
High Resolution Videos and Training Manual
Videos are high resolution so you can even watch them on your TV. All text and videos are online so you do not need to use a separate training manual.
Other Products
You can purchase other training products by Shihan Dana Abbott to help you on your training journey.
“Just forget everything you’ve seen in the movies and forget everything you think you know!
Master Dana Abbott can show you the true path of the sword in a easy no nonsense way!
It has been my honor and pleasure to know Master Abbott and train with him for over 10 years!
I highly recommend his program whether you’re interested in just learning the sword for fun,
or a serious professional like myself, this is the program for you!
– Sensei John McGonigle Sr.
Martial Arts Hero Factory
Watch Videos on Many Devices
Sword Training For A Dollar A Day
$30 A Month
Follow the guidelines, lectures and labs in the Samurai Sword Training Package,
to learn everything from basic technique to advanced ritual and protocol.
All you have to do is…
Watch the sword training videos and read the materials.
Practice the prescribed tasks, techniques and protocol.
Demonstrate the techniques in a progress video.
Review the critiqued progress video and continue to practice.
WHAT WE OFFER
- 175-page PDF Manual
- Long and Short Sword
Tutorial Links - Consultation with Shihan
- Video Critique and Correction included
- Video Updates
- Gripping & Hand placement
Kiai = Breath Control
Posture & Demeanor
Stances & Footwork
Drawing and Sheathing
Striking & Cutting Angles
Focal Points & Guidelines
Movements & Transitions
Anatomy of the Sword
Technique Training
Culture & Ritual
Toyama-Ryu Kata Series
Tameshigiri Test Cutting
- 170+ page PDF Manual
- 20 Tutorial Video Links
- Both Short and Long Sword
Testimonials
“I have known Shihan Dana Abbott for over 20 years and he is a good friend and amazing martial artist. In my opinion he is one of the best swordsmen alive today and a true teacher.“
Mark Shuey
Grandmaster“Dana Abbott is without doubt one of the preeminent Iaido sword masters and teachers of our time. His vision and sincere concern for the development of his students and the advancement of the arts are, in my opinion, second-to-none.“
Stephen F. Kaufman
Hanshi“I have spent many years training with the sword in the US and in Japan with many great teachers. I must say that Dana Abbot Shihan is one of the best practitioners and instructors I have seen.“
Dane Harden
ColonelJust A Taste of Sword Training
- Cutting Through the Mystery: Drop Cut
Kodachi-iai is an aggressive Japanese short sword system. This is kata 12 of the short sword kata series. - Cutting Through The Mystery: Hand Position: Drawing and Sheathing Heavy SwordsShihan Dana Abbott offers short tutorials on fine tuning your Japanese sword technique through practical application.
- Cutting Through the Mystery: Shinken – Hand Placement and Fear of the BladeThis short tutorial shows the finer points of drawing and sheathing a large bladed shinken. Tabuchi sensei placed great emphasis on how to feel the sides of the blade move through one’s thumb and forefinger when being drawn or sheathed for better control.
- Cutting Through the Mystery: Nito-Ryu Sword Draw & SheathThis video simply shows how to draw and sheath two swords without taking your eyes off the opponent.
The University of Martial Arts
Learn the Sword is part of the University of Martial Arts
The University of Martial Arts, developed by Martial Arts Enterprises,
is online learning where students and instructors
of the martial arts come together to expand their martial knowledge.
We provide every avenue available to facilitate learning.
Online video training allows students to practice what they are being taught
with more proficiency and online access to training materials,
including videos, course manuals and books, enhances martial arts training.