Samurai Sports | Courses

There are several courses available. Please select from the list below:

Traditional and Chanbara Courses
Goshindo Intensive Course
Tameshigiri Intensive Course
Chanbara Intensive Certification Course
Online Traditional Sword Course
Rank and Certification
Chanbara Instructor's Certification

Shihan Abbott and the Samurai Sports staff offer private, semi-private and group intensive courses for students, instructors/ and enthusiasts who want to learn one or all aspects of the sword. Since learning the way of the sword takes a lifetime there are many avenues one can take whether the sword is constructed from wood, metal or bamboo.

One might want to practice a traditional style spoken in Japanese with emphasis on "old school" techniques. Goshindo traditional courses offer a strong foundation on ways to manipulate a sword as seen in the Japanese military. Goshindo offers the chance to experience actual application of technique and to experience sparring in the disciplines of kenjutsu and kendo.

Chanbara courses offer an exciting resource for those who instruct traditional and non-traditional martial arts. Instructing the sword has never been easier. Traditional styles can now hone their techniques better without the fear of injury. Family martial art centers can easily and effectively teach short and long sword technique, along with drills, routines and combinations in a fraction of the time.

The Samurai Sword Instructor's Course was designed for all types of martial arts schools and styles. Chanbara is sweeping the nation! This exciting and unbelievably fun filled martial art/sport will keep your student retention levels high while increasing their performance. Endorsed by the biggest names in the martial arts industry. Anyone can be proficient after taking this course.

An intensive course offers the most realistic aspect of "how to learn" a sword. Shihan Abbott's 1 to 5 day "hands on" intensive courses offer the chance to capture the essence and understanding of the sword. Intensive courses in conjunction with books, manuals and media prove to make learning the way of the sword much more understandable and easier to comprehend. Intensive courses offer stronger foundations for certification and can be accredited towards your ranking requirements. Note: 2-day courses are the most popular.

For more Information on Intensive Courses and Fees click here

Shihan Abbott, over the years, has gained vast experience instructing various sword styles giving him a strong foundation. He has strengthened his foundation through his studies of the Military Toyama and Nakamura iai-batto-do styles, the Zen Nihon Kendo Renmei Kumitachi & Seitei series, Happogiri and Kodachi-iai.

To receive certification or rank you will need to study "The Samurai Sword" series. This manual will teach you how to wield a sword. It will explain to you how to un-sheath the blade from different angles; executing upward and downward diagonal, vertical and horizontal cuts; chiburi/ cleaning the blade, and re-sheathing the sword using various patterns.

Shihan Dana Abbott's iaido sword instruction begins with a wooden sword and advances through various stages of learning until the stage that wood is exchanged for steel. The usage of the steel blade will further enhance sword drawing, cutting and sheathing techniques.

The training fee for a 2-day Goshindo Iaido intensive course, which includes certification up to 10 instructors/ students at your school is $1500 plus room and board. Additional students are $200 each.

The training fee for a 2-day Goshindo Iaido intensive course in Phoenix, Arizona to certify one instructor/ student is $750. Additional students are $250 each.

Shihan Dana Abbott's test cutting certification begins by showing you how to prepare tatami mats for cutting. This includes rolling, tying, soaking and cutting. You will learn horizontal and diagonal cuts while executing internationally known cutting patterns such as roku-dan giri or even more difficult cutting patterns such as mizugeishi. Refer to The Samurai Sword, An Introduction & Application.

During this certification course you will cut using several shapes and weights of Japanese swords, which will impart a very well rounded understanding of test cutting. In addition, you will learn how to cut the basic 8 cutting angles and their patterns.

Your tameshigiri certification begins with how to safely and correctly wield a Japanese shinken (live blade). It is of vast importance that when wielding a shinken great care must be taken to prevent injury. This will be part of your course study.

The cost for a 2-day Goshindo tameshigiri intensive course in your school and to certify up to 5 students is $1500 plus hotel and extra cutting materials if needed. Additional students are $200 each.

The training fee for a 2-day Goshindo tameshigiri intensive course in Phoenix, Arizona to certify one instructor/ student is $800. Additional students in your group are $300 each.

Note: When participating in Arizona, I will supply swords and materials but feel free to bring and use your own. For more information, call (800) 748 4084.

Shihan Dana Abbott's Sports Chanbara certification courses provide the candidate with all the knowledge and training to effectively and safely practice and teach combative weaponry. Sports Chanbara introduces children and young adults to the combative aspects of the Japanese sword and weaponry. Programs are available for adults if desired.

Certification courses teach the disciplines of kihon, such as...block/strike patterns, sparring, technique training, pre-arranged forms, combative games, tournament, plus judge & referee procedures.

Shihan Abbott's diversified Sports Chanbara courses enable all martial arts schools, studios and establishments to safely instruct combative weaponry. Begin your program in Sports Chanbara by following the Samurai Sword Instructor's Course guidelines, requirements and procedures. This manual should be your pre-requisite to the certification course and also be your reference guide after you are certified.

Let's begin with Sports Chanbara using either the short and long sword. For those who practice kobudo or want to experience a different weapon, Samurai Sports also offers courses in mixed weaponry such as, staves, spears, knives, and sticks. Train at Samurai Sports' training facility or at your own dojo or school. Sign-up or contact us for more information.

The training fee for a 2 day Chanbara Instructor's intensive course, which includes certification up to 10 instructors/ students at your school is $1500 plus room and board. Additional students are $100 each.

The training fee for a 2-day Chanbara Instructor's intensive course in Phoenix, Arizona to certify one instructor/ student is $500. Additional students are $200 each.

Online courses have become very popular over the past few years. The reason for this is simple. Online courses offer a very reasonable, cost effective and viable way to teach you the way of the sword in the privacy of your own home or to re-address a movement as a reference to a technique just minutes before a class.

Since there must be a rhyme or reason when learning and teaching the sword "The Samurai Sword" series makes sure that you don't spend needles time trying to recreate the wheel. This teaching method has not changed for generations but with this new avenue to communicate online has made it much more obtainable to rank and/or certification when an instructor is not in proximity. As your instructor, first and foremost it is my job to keep in close contact with you making sure you are advancing in your quest to mastering the sword.

During the course you will learn all the prescribed tasks through the guidelines provided by one of "The Samurai Sword" manuals/media. Upon the completion of the prescribed tasks through repetition you will then demonstrate what you have practiced/studied on short video clips where I can critique, adjust, correct and explain proper transition and technique. The most important aspect of this course is the fact that I will be pushing you to your next level of expertise.

Moreover you will be receiving excellent instruction for every month you are enrolled. Depending on the program you enlist in you will obtain blocks of instruction time where I personally follow and engage in all your studies either through media or in person or both. Our online course is an excellent informational prerequisite to learning the sword. With all the information at your finger tips over the weeks, months and years of instruction you will be pushed and prodded and honed to the point you will have a rhyme and reason to all the movements provided with world class instruction.

We will be in constant contact, I am always assessable through online e-mail, you tube, skype, flip video, or call toll free 800-748-4084. Course fees for online training are as follows:

Kihon plan is $15 per month. (This program is very popular for beginners)
Kohai plan is $30 per month.
Sempai plan is $60 per month.
Samurai plan is $90 per month.

Click here for Online Sword Instruction or call 1-800-748-4084 or 1-480-575-7319.

Rank represents your standing in the martial arts world. It also represents years of hard work, sweat and time. When pursuing rank in "The Samurai Sword" series you will use either the Tachi or Kodachi-iai ranking manuals. (Ranking fees will be found in the ranking manuals.)

Your accomplishment of this series will allow you to graduate to the next level. Over time you will attain the various levels of rank through practice and dedication to honing your mind and body into one. Upon receipt of each belt rank you will receive a certificate stating you have successfully completed the prescribed instruction through the Zen Nihon Goshindo Renmei.

Certification represents the knowledge gained when practicing only certain segments of training or technique. Certification in conjunction with intensive courses and online training offer students, instructors or school owners the opportunity to quickly become proficient in the use of either traditional or combative sword programs. When pursuing Chanbara certification in the series you will also use the Samurai Sword Instructor's Course.

Certification courses offer all the nuts and bolts of teaching children Chanbara, one of the fastest growing martial arts in the USA today. Upon completion of each segment you will receive a certificate stating you have successfully completed the prescribed instruction through the auspices of the International Sports Chanbara Association.

For more Information on Intensive Courses and Fees click here

Chanbara certification provides the candidate with all the knowledge and training to effectively and safely practice and teach combative Chanbara. Sports Chanbara introduces children and young adults to the combative aspects of the Japanese sword and weaponry. Programs are available for adults if desired.

Certification courses teach the disciplines of kihon, such as block/strike patterns, sparring, technique training, pre-arranged forms, combative games, tournament, plus judge & referee procedures.

The training fee for a 2-day Chanbara Instructor's intensive course, which includes certification up to 10 instructors/ students at your school is $1500 plus room and board. Additional students are $100 each.

The training fee for a 2-day Chanbara Instructor's intensive course in Phoenix, Arizona to certify one instructor/ student is $500. Additional students are $200 each.

Training fee for Online Chanbara Instructor's Course $125. Most students complete this course in 30 to 60 days. Click here for Online Sword Instruction or call 1-800-748-4084 or 1-480-575-7319.