In feudal times the core aspect of any Japanese warrior's martial education was that of swordsmanship. Shinkendo is a comprehensive reunification of what the Samurai once used and relied upon for survival, and can be classified as a combination of the founder's own technical and structural innovations as well as an amalgamation of several traditions of Japanese swordsmanship that have been forced to evolve and splinter over time. Unified, Shinkendo is a historically accurate and comprehensive style of Japanese Swordsmanship.

The Shinkendo school emphasizes very traditional and effective swordsmanship, which, with serious training, leads to both practical ability as well as an understanding of classical martial arts. Shinkendo is steeped in the traditions of the samurai, in such ways as Heiho (strategy), Reiho (proper Bushido etiquette) and philosophy. Toshishiro Obata Kaiso is the founder, director and chief instructor of the Kokusai Shinkendo Renmei (International Shinkendo Federation), an organization dedicated to teaching authentic Japanese swordsmanship.

• Suburi - sword swinging drills
• Tanrengata - solo forms
• Battoho - combative drawing and cutting methods
• Tachiuchi - sparring, partner drills
• Tameshigiri - test cutting of straw and bamboo targets

The goal of training the technique of Shinkendo and its philosophy and principles is to develop and harmonize the mind, body and spirit. Proficiency in swordsmanship and spiritual development are not sequential achievements; they are interactive and interdependent developments. The serious practitioner should devote themselves to tireless practice of the techniques of the Goho Gorin Gogyo and embodiment of the principles and philosophy of Jinsei Shinkendo (life is Shinkendo).

This is not to imply that training has to become the highest priority in the practitioner's life, but rather that life itself is an art that should be experienced and expressed to the fullest extent, and that the principles, insights and mindset gleaned through training are there to help improve and balance all areas of a practitioner's life. The teachings of Shinkendo and the integral philosophy of the Kuyo Junikun (12 precepts of the nine planets stratagem) and the 8 ways of the Hachido are taught so that one might learn to integrate this life-affirming knowledge and inner-understanding into their daily lives.

While Shinkendo requires rigorous physical training, depth of coordination, and intense focus, one of the most important aspects of Shinkendo is the emphasis on spiritual forging, which inspires Bushi Damashii (the Samurai/ warrior spirit), a quality that is as relevant now as it was hundreds of years ago. Proper practice of Shinkendo should provide one with not only a strong body and mind, but also a calm, clear and focused spirit. It is this aspect of the training which can be carried into any part of one's life and thus makes Shinkendo as relevant now as it was a thousand years ago.