Shinkendo Athens and the I.S.F. are dedicated to the study of authentic Samurai Swordsmanship.
Shinkendo students include men, women, boys and girls (15 years of age and older).
Classes are held in two locations. The first at our main locations in Kato Petralona, address Ious 23
and our second location in Petroupoli at the enclosed gymnasium, N. Paksimadas.
As part of the Kokusai Toyama Ryu Renmei, within the Shinkendo curriculum students learn another form
of Japanese swordsmanship which is called Toyama-ryu Battodo. Toyama-ryu is the style of swordsmanship
which was taught to the officers of the Imperial Army of Japan from around 1925 till the end of World War II.
Shinkendo Athens dojo also offers separate classes in Aikido/Aikibujutsu and Bojutsu, the martial arts representative
of Obata Toshishiro Kaiso's organization the Aikibujutsu Tanren Kenkyukai (or Aiki-Buken) which can be translated as
"Applied Aiki-Based Martial Systems Research Organization".
Shinkendo is a modern art, imbued with the ideals of Bushi Damashii (warrior spirit) and Budo (the “way” or code of the Samurai).
Students of Shinkendo learn practical, real combat sword techniques passed down from centuries of battle-tested methods,
as well as the history and traditions of the Samurai. Being a modern art, Shinkendo is able to break down the walls between
the different Ryuha (Schools) and reincorporate their teachings into one comprehensive form. This is the way Japanese
swordsmanship was originally studied.
Within the curriculum of sword techniques, there are a myriad of deeper lessons which can be found by approaching your
training with the attitude of Shugyo (serious/austere training). These deeper lessons contain various ideals which enter into
our thoughts and spirits and teach us to have a more serious and fulfilling life, to have a deeper respect for nature and living
beings, and to promote the advancement of peace. This shows us that Shinkendo is as much a philosophy and way of life as
it is a martial art.
