Niten

Niten, from Japanese for "two heavens," is a term used to describe a two-sword style and its practice. In English, Niten Ichi-ryu is often translated as "Two Heavens as One School," referring to the combination of two swords wielded as a single technique. The word niten appears in classical Japanese martial and literary sources, where it denotes dual-sword concepts.

The style is most famous for Miyamoto Musashi (c. 1584–1645), the renowned swordsman and author of the Book of Five Rings. He is traditionally credited with developing the two-sword technique in the early Edo period. The primary sources describing the method come from Musashi’s writings and later records; exact historical details are debated among scholars.

Technique and practice emphasize wielding a long katana and a short wakizashi, or other paired-sword configurations, in coordinated movements. Practitioners train in forms (kata) and paired drills, with emphasis on timing, distance, and the synergy between offense and defense. Core concepts include drawing and cutting in a single sequence, as well as simultaneous blocks and strikes.

Modern practice and lineage: Hyoho Niten Ichi-ryu is a widely recognized contemporary lineage, with dojos around the world continuing to teach the two-sword method. Other groups also claim descent from Musashi and teach variations of the approach; training typically covers forms, weapons handling, etiquette, and mindset.

Legacy: The dual-wielding concept and the Musashi tradition have had a lasting impact on martial arts and popular culture. Niten is studied as part of traditional kenjutsu and frequently cited as a symbol of strategic duality and mastery.