The Ancient Sword Arts of the Samurai

Soyo Kaze (Gentle Breeze) dojo is an official Sora-to Ryu Kenjutsu Heiho dojo, associated with the Kagerou dojo of Sensei John van Zijl (Kaicho) in the Western Cape.

The dojo was started on request by Sensei John, (who started the Sora-to Ryu Kenjutsu style) to expand the style up to the Gauteng region.

It is run by Ryan Di Dominico who has been practising Sora-to Ryu Kenjutsu for over 8 years.

The Sora-to (sky-sword) Ryu (style) Kenjutsu Heiho (of sword-fighting strategy) is dedicated to the study of the ancient martial arts of the Samurai. We learn and apply the skills that were used by the Samurai in hand-to-hand combat with edged weapons. The strategy of the sword was the most important aspect of samurai military training. Kenjutsu can be thought of as living history, preserving principles of combat and details of etiquette of an era long past. The benefits of the Way of the sword are external (physical) and internal (spiritual) and embody timeless strengths and values that are frequently eroded by modern lifestyles. Kenjutsu is also very practical, empowering people to face the challenges of life with clarity & tranquillity. It is a potent self-defence system.

Our training centres around mastery of the Japanese long sword (Katana & bokken), the short sword (Wakizashi/shoto), knife fighting (Tanto-jutsu), long staff weapons (jo-jutsu/yari/naginata) and those unarmed techniques known as muto, or "without sword" (very effective in self-defence, including joint locks, throws, striking techniques etc.

In all of our training we tend to follow the Takeda tradition of ancient Japan.