HEMA
Historische Europäische Kampfkünste
AI-generated content — may contain inaccuracies
At a Glance
Who It's For
What You'll Learn
Longsword — Langschwert — guards (Huten), cuts (Haue), and thrusts (Stiche)
Rapier fencing technique
Medieval wrestling — Ringen am Schwert (wrestling at the sword)
Interpretation of Fechtbücher (historical fight manuals)
Full-contact sparring with protective equipment using Federn (flexible training swords)
Dagger — Dolch — and polearm — Spieß — fundamentals
Your First Class
Watch & Learn
Legends of HEMA
Miyamoto Musashi (宮本武蔵)
Miyamoto Musashi is Japan's most famous swordsman, known for his undefeated record in 61 duels and his dual-wielding technique. His treatise "The Book of Five Rings" remains one of the most influential texts on martial arts strategy, studied by practitioners and business leaders alike.
Johannes Liechtenauer
Fiore dei Liberi
Matt Easton
Related Styles
Kendo
Kendo (剣道, "way of the sword") is a modern Japanese fencing art using bamboo swords — shinai (竹刀) — and full armor — bogu (防具). Descended from kenjutsu, it emphasizes spirit (ki), sword technique, and body unity — ki-ken-tai-ichi (気剣体一致).
Kenjutsu
Kenjutsu (剣術, "sword technique") refers to the classical Japanese sword arts — koryu (古流, old-school traditions) — practiced by samurai (侍). Unlike Kendo, it uses wooden bokken (木剣) or blunted steel swords and focuses on partner kata (型) preserving battlefield techniques.
Savate
Savate — boxe française (French boxing) — is an elegant French kickboxing art that permits only kicks with the feet (not shins) and punches. Practitioners wear specialized chaussures (shoes) and are graded by colored glove levels.
Wrestling
Wrestling is one of the oldest combat sports, with Olympic roots dating to ancient Greek pankration (παγκράτιον) and wrestling events from 708 BC. Modern competitive wrestling includes Freestyle and Greco-Roman styles, emphasizing takedowns, control, and pinning.
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