sojutsu

Sojutsu is the Japanese martial art focused on fighting with the spear, or yari. It covers offense and defense using a long polearm, with emphasis on range control, body alignment, and timing. Techniques typically include thrusts, stabs, sweeps, and countering methods, as well as moves to parry and transition.

Historically, the spear was a dominant weapon in feudal Japan. Developed during the Heian to Sengoku periods, the yari offered reach and leverage that complemented swords and bows on the battlefield. Numerous traditional schools, or ryu, specialized in spear techniques, preserving a wide range of forms and drill methods. Although the rise of firearms reduced its military primacy, sojutsu remained a core part of many koryu (classical) curricula and was adapted within modern martial arts as well.

Training in sojutsu typically includes stances (kamae), footwork (ashi), and a repertoire of basic and advanced thrusts, guards, and counters. Practitioners learn how to manage distance, angle attacks, and control the spear’s long lever. Drills may involve solo forms (kata), paired exercises, and sometimes protective equipment during sparring or drill work. Some schools also teach applications against other weapons and against multiple opponents, integrating movement, timing, and reposte into the practice.

In contemporary practice, sojutsu is more commonly encountered as part of traditional Japanese weapon programs within koryu or in mixed-weapon curricula rather than as an independent sport. It is preserved through dedicated dojos and demonstrations, highlighting historical combat methods and the skillful handling of the yari.