swordplay

Swordplay refers to the practice, study, or depiction of fighting with swords. It encompasses a range of activities from sport fencing and historical martial arts to stage combat and choreographed performances. The term is often used to distinguish practical, rule-governed competition and historical reconstruction from theatrical fighting, though it can include both.

In sport fencing, competitors use one of three weapons: foil, epee, or sabre, each with its own target areas and rules. Competitions emphasize technique, speed, and precision, and are governed by national associations and international bodies such as the International Fencing Federation.

Historical European martial arts (HEMA) seek to reconstruct medieval and early modern swordsmanship from manuscripts, treatises, and period manuals. Practices center on safety, use of blunt or training swords, and sparring that reproduces historically attested techniques for longsword, arming sword, or pole arms.

Eastern sword traditions include kendo and kenjutsu, with the former using protective gear and bamboo swords, emphasizing discipline and posture; iaido concentrates on drawing and cutting with a katana in solo forms.

Non-theatrical stage combat trains actors to convincingly perform fights while minimizing risk, using choreographed sequences, controlled timing, and protective equipment.

Training covers stance, footwork, bladework, timing, and safety rules. Protective equipment ranges from masks and jackets in fencing to gauntlets and laminated armor in historical practices; stage combat relies on padded or non-sharp props.

Swords vary from sport blades to blunt replicas and wooden or bamboo weapons, specialized for each discipline.