Japanese Martial Arts

    In martial arts, no other weapon held the same status as the Japanese sword.  It was central to training.  But it had to be considering that this weapon was being carried by all warriors as was their right too.  When you look at the older schools their kata has the sword as the central element.  As the students would start to learn the staff or spear they learned to use it first against a sword.
  Regardless of whether you are learning jujutsu, aikido, or judo there is a very strong influence of swordsmanship.  Even the notorious ninjutsu was influenced by the ever present Japanese sword.  Ironically, you will find that people training in martial arts that have been influenced by the Japanese sword are unable to hold that weapon correctly.