Training

Salle

All classes take place at the society's own training salle, on the top floor of staircase A in Väinönkeskus. JHMS also rents the salle for other groups in order to gather different martial artists under the same roof, and to provide them with an affordable training space. In addition to historical swordsmanship, iaido, kendo and seibukan karate are practised at the salle at the moment. The salle can also be rent for private events.

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Notice that the doors in the bottom floor close at 6pm. If you come to a class after this, phone the person leading classes, so that someone will come to let you in.

Training schedule

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
16:30 - 18:00 SEIBUKAN KARATE	18:00 - 20:00 JHMS Basic 1-2	16:30 - 18:00 RYOTOKAI KARATE	18:00 - 20:00 JHMS Basic 1-2	16:30 - 18:00 JHMS Study groups	12:00 - 14:00 JHMS free training	19:00 - 20:30 RYUTOKAI
18:00 - 19:30 JHMS free training		19:30 - 21:00 RYUTOKAI		18:00 - 20:00 JHMS Study groups
19:30 - 21:00 BUJINKAN			20:00 - 21:30 BUJINKAN

Schedule updated: 3.5.2010 15:49

All students can attend basic 1-2 classes and free training. Intermediate classes are reserved for students that have passed their basic 2 level, or who are near to passing it. Consult the syllabus for the level descriptions and the material mainly taught in classes..

The schedule above is updated when necessary, but single class changes won't be marked. Check the most recent schedule here.

Security first!

Training with steel swords requires a lot of control. Class discipline is founded on respect and courtesy. To guarantee safety, it is essential that everyone follows precisely the given instructions - this creates the trust that is the foundation of all safety.

When training with swords you hold your partner's life in your hands. This is a sacred trust and must not be abused!

What happens in a typical class?

Usually the classes last for an hour and a half, or two hours. We start with a salute and a warmup, which is followed by a group of different footwork and balance exercises with a partner and without. Latter half of the class is dedicated to training with weapons - the level of training and the weapons vary.

Students are expected to present themselves in class on time. Latecomers do push-ups!

Weapons taught

You can find more information about the source treatises here.

Longsword

Every student starts the training with a late medieval Italian longsword, the source being Fiore dei Liberi's Fior di Battaglia from 1409. The training also includes rondel dagger and unarmed techniques. Basic 1-2 classes are decicated exclusively to Fiore's system. Fiore's spear and pollax are also a part of the more experienced student's repertory.

Rapier

Rapier is the first European sword that is mainly designed for thrusting, and it's perhaps most commonly recognised as the weapon used by the Three Musketeers. Our source for rapier is Ridolfo Capoferro's Gran Simulacro from 1610.

Other weapons

Other weapons taught at the school are e.g. sword and buckler, that is one handed arming sword and a small round shield, the source being the 1.33. written by anonymous at the end very end of 13th century. Also backsword, spada di filo and smallsword are part of the syllabus, but out of these weapons we practise mostly backsword and 1.33's sword & buckler.

Dress code, ranking system, syllabus

Even though JHMS is an independent society, it closely follows the school's customs. In class, members are expected to wear black training trousers, a white school t-shirt and indoor training shoes. More leeway is allowed on the beginner's course, but black t-shirts are recommended to be left home.

The society follows the school's syllabus and ranking system, of which you can read more here.

Beginner's courses

Everybody starts with the beginner's course. A safe way to practise historical swordsmanship and the most important tools for later training are taught on the course. The course also covers the basics of Italian longsword and dagger. For a better picture of the material covered on a beginner's course, see the syllabus.

On a beginner's course all you need is normal indoor training gear: white(ish) t-shirt, training trousers and indoor training shoes. Other equipment can be borrowed from the society.

A beginner's course is arranged twice a year - usually in February and October - and the classes run twice a week for a month. All participants are also welcome to all basic 1-2 classes and free training.

Seminars

Register in time to secure your place!

In Jyväskylä

JHMS regularly arranges seminars that are open for everyone. Guy Windsor visits twice a year and other seminars are arranged occasionally. More information about the fees and payments can be found here.

Visiting participants can sleep at the salle - we have a sofa and a bed, but take a sleeping bag with you. The society can lend weapons if necessary.

Elsewhere

Information about the seminars arranged elsewhere can most easily be found at the school's homepage or forum. When you participate seminars somewhere else than Jyväskylä, register for the course yourself and pay the seminar fee directly to the local association's account or follow the given payment instructions.

When training in Helsinki, you can sleep at the local salle - Mr. Windsor has even a built a sleeping platform for those staying overnight! Helsinki salle also has its own kitchen, shower and a washing machine for washing the sweaty training gear. Weapons and equipment can be borrowed.

There's often a carpool from Jyväskylä to seminars elsewhere, so it's advisable to ask about this beforehand from example on our mailing list.

Updated: 3.5.2010 15:46