Sōjutsu
Sōjutsu is a weapons-based martial art originating in Japan, practiced within the broader tradition of budō. Its training focus centers on Japanese spearmanship, meaning practitioners work with the spear as a primary implement, developing the skills, positioning, and handling methods associated with its use. The art addresses the spear both as a tool requiring technical precision and as a subject of structured, codified practice passed down within formal schools.
Training in a weapons-based art of this kind generally emphasizes familiarity with the weapon itself, including its management, carrying, and application in controlled practice. Practitioners typically develop coordination, distance awareness, and the physical conditioning necessary to handle a long-shafted implement effectively. Paired and solo exercises are common to this family of practice, allowing students to refine the mechanics of spear handling in a systematic way.
Sōjutsu encompasses a number of distinct schools, each preserving its own particular approach to the art. Among the notable sub-styles is Hōzōin-ryū, a school associated with the cross-spear form known as the jūmonji yari. These sub-styles represent separate lineages within the broader tradition and are covered individually in the sections below.
Styles & branches of Sōjutsu
Hōzōin-ryū
Type: Weapons-based · Lineage: Sōjutsu
cross-spear (jūmonji yari) school Wikipedia →
Gear to expect. Weapons-based training typically calls for the style's training weapons (always start with the school's loaners) and protective gear — your school will tell you exactly what, and when. New students rarely need to buy anything for a trial class.
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