Bajutsu - Japanese Horse-Based Martial Arts

Bajutsu is a Japanese martial arts focused on military equestrianism. It is still taught in some Ninjutsu and Bujutsu Ryu (schools) today.

The martial art of Bajutsu focuses on the mounted use of many traditional Japanese weapons especially the Katana, Yari, Naginata, Yari and the Yumi (the traditional Japanese Bow). However, other more esoteric weapons are sometimes included as well as firearms such as muskets.

Horsemanship was a key part of the fighting methods of the Samurai (and thus Bajutsu was a key element in the training of most Japanese Bujutsu Ryu). Techniques involve the use of weapons both from a seated position in the saddle and from a standing position using stirrups. Another key part of Bajutsu was also the actual training of horses in order to accustom them to the noise and action of battle.