ARMING SWORD ONLINE COURSE
A Historical Martial Arts Learning Program
elcome to the Arming Sword Online Course.
This website presents a structured learning program dedicated to the historical study of the arming sword as used in medieval military combat. The course is delivered through recorded video lessons that examine how the sword was employed on the battlefield.
The historical foundation of this course is Cassani’s military manual, one of the few surviving manuscripts that specifically describes the use of a military sword. The techniques presented differ significantly from those found in civilian fencing traditions—for example, thrusting techniques are absent. Because the original source is difficult to interpret, the material has been carefully organized into clear, practical lessons to make it easier to understand and apply.
This material is intended for educational purposes only. If you choose to practice these techniques in sparring, do so with caution and always wear appropriate protective equipment. Never use sharp swords. Rubber swords or padded sticks, along with face protection, are strongly recommended. These techniques were developed for battlefield use and should be treated with the respect such “real-world” combat systems deserve.
At present, the course focuses on the use of a single arming sword. Future lessons will explore the use of two swords, as well as sword and shield combinations. New videos are added periodically and will appear in the list below.
For notifications about newly added videos and discussions on historical sword fighting, consider subscribing to my
Tsurukiri YouTube channel.
Let's begin!
Fundamental Lessons
Lesson
Description
Video
Lesson 1
The four fundamental cuts and how to combine them with footwork to build a solid foundation.
This is how to attack with the ribbon cutting method.
This technique is the most difficult one of the three we have learned. The ribbon cut has a better chance of surprising your opponent, compared to the other two techniques, as the follow-up attack comes from an unexpected angle.
How to defend with the ribbon-cutting method against strikes coming from four different angles. Ribbon cutting is the most difficult one of the three techniques learned so far, but it can surprise your opponent.
This lesson completes the series of drills for arming sword basic handling skills.
I am a historical re-enactment fighter with a focus on testing historical techniques through hard sparring. My work emphasizes accuracy to original sources, correct application of sword movement theory, and responsible teaching methods, with a strong commitment to minimizing the risk of injury.
When I began medieval sword fighting in 1990, there was very little material available to learn from. I would have been thrilled to have access to a structured set of medieval sword fighting lessons—but none existed at the time.
To help bridge this gap, I created this course to demonstrate how the medieval arming sword was used in a military context. The course does not attempt to be exhaustive, but its aim is to go deep enough to help you truly understand how swords function in combat. Ideally, it will also inspire you to study historical manuscripts yourself or even develop your own approach to sword fighting.
This course represents more than 35 years of learning, research, sparring, and teaching. Along the way, bones were broken, blood was spilled, and countless bruises earned in the pursuit of understanding and testing what truly works. Everything presented here has been personally used in sparring and proven effective. To show anything less would be a disservice to the masters who came before us.
In addition to the medieval arming sword, I also practice two traditional Filipino martial arts. The first is De Campo 123 Original, a deathmatch stick-fighting system that also includes sword techniques. The other is Moro Moro Orabes Heneral, a multi-weapon system with a strong emphasis on sword use and close-combat grappling.
I am eternally grateful to the teachers who guided me along the way. Without them, I would not possess the skills or understanding I have today.
Course Book
A companion book is currently in preparation for those who wish to explore the course material in greater depth. The book will include detailed written explanations, historical illustrations, and references to original sources where similar techniques can be found.
In addition, it will offer practical insights and training advice for students who wish to test and refine their sword-fighting skills through sparring, helping bridge the gap between historical study and practical application.
Title: Learn To Fight With The Arming Sword Format: Printed paperback Includes: Expanded explanations and reference material Publish date: By end of 2026
