Martial Arts training for Franklin & Marshall College Students

Authentic Japanese Swordsmanship (Kenjutsu)

The Martial Arts Preservation Association (MAPA) is headquartered in Central Pennsylvania and provides training in the traditional martial arts of Japan. Currently, we offer training in the mainline of Ono-ha Itto-ryu, a 400-year-old school of kenjutsu, to students throughout the United States and Canada under the guidance of Yabuki Yuji, the 18th Soke (headmaster) of the school.

What is Kenjutsu and Koryu?

Kenjutsu literally means "sword art or sword techniques," and is the traditional methods of using a Japanese sword.  

Starting in the 1400s in Japan, swordsmanship began to systematize, with successful warriors passing along lessons from combative engagements to the next generation of warriors.  These lessons were expanded upon by subsequent generations of swordsmen.  Eventually these lessons grew into hundreds of styles of swordsmanship, some of which continue into the present day.  Ono-ha Itto-ryu is one of these koryu (old style martial arts.)