About Samurai Sports

A Message from Dana Abbott

After a decade and a half in Yokohama, Japan, I was requested to return to the United States to introduce Japanese sword mastery here as it is taught in the Japanese Department of Education and Recreation.  Upon arrival, I began setting up Samurai Sports, which offered the martial arts community a viable way to learn or instruct the sword to the masses… as it is done in Japan. 

Many sword classes taught in America have a tendency to spend more time talking about application and ritual rather than actual practice. When I spent my time in Japan my goal was to become a teacher.  That instruction allowed me to learn from the best Japan had to offer. These esteemed kendo and iaido masters did not wear fancy robes but rather they wore simpler ones and physically practiced side-by-side with their students. Even if they were elderly, they were still very active and you had to do your best to keep up with them.

I am not a Japanese sword historian to explain everything that has happened in the evolution of the sword nor do I want to be.  I was trained to be an instructor, a coach, an educator and to impart to my students proficiency with the sword whether it is steel, wood, bamboo or synthetic.

The training of the sword is much more stringent and rigid in Japan than in the Western world.  I won my place in the swording community not by talking my way through, but by practicing, practicing and practicing 8 to 10 hours a day.  This was not easy on my body. In fact, if I was not continuously hit or thrown to the ground numerous times an hour I was not participating in class. My personal experience received from the masters of the Showa era put me through my paces daily.  There was no quarter ever given. Everything had to be extremely correct from bowing to sparring with no exceptions.

I do not look upon myself as an elitist or samurai nobility nor have I ever had an inflated opinion of myself.  Remember, Japanese mystique is humility and humbleness, which I learned from the best of the best who in turn taught me. I am extremely proud to be part of that educational process thus allowing me to earn my place among the Japanese martial arts hierarchy.

I am a sword coach/trainer.  As such, it is my job to make sure everyone is on their right path and continues on that path.  My goal is to make sure my students become highly proficient.  If you are a novice or you have even been practicing or instructing the sword for years it is still my job to make sure your economy of motion, stance, breathing, timing and endurance becomes stronger. Again, this comes with practice.
Throughout the history of man there have been great generals and leaders who have reshaped the world. Behind each and every great leader there has always been a coach, trainer, drill sergeant or instructor whose job was to make them the best. I want to be your coach and my job will be solely to mold you into the leader you can be in all facets of your life.

In my presentations, courses and teachings I will not only show and demonstrate the sword but I will have you duplicate the same techniques that you will observe.  I will take your best attributes, polish them and then proceed to correct any of your weak areas.  Upon completion of your Samurai Sports studies you will have gained the confidence and sword proficiency you seek plus the knowledge of how to better control your mindset and physical being.

Dana Abbott