Battōjutsu (抜刀術 battōjutsu) is a sword-based Japanese martial art. Generally, schools which style themselves “battojutsu ryu” emphasize the perfection of Tameshigiri cutting technique, as opposed to iaido ryu which tend to focus on drawing/sheathing, or kenjutsu ryu which stress dueling ability.
“Battojutsu” or “iaijutsu” can also refer to the concept of drawing and striking in a single motion. Batto/iaijutsu techniques often involve drawing the saya back and the sword forward, allowing the wielder to begin and complete the cut faster than would otherwise be possible, generally half to three quarters of a second.
Battoujutsu is one of the techniques Himura Kenshin mastered to earn the name the Battousai in the popular anime and manga series Rurouni Kenshin.
