About

About Us

Our Mission

Our mission is clear: to impart the complete martial art of Italian swordsmanship. Immerse yourself in a comprehensive curriculum encompassing Longsword, Dagger, Sidesword, Rapier, and Saber techniques. These aren't just techniques; they're a self-defense system honed over 400 years across Europe's battlefields and alleys.


Delve into the wisdom of legendary Italian fencing masters through their timeless manuals:


🗡️ **Fiore de'i Liberi's "The Flower of Battle" (1400s)**: Uncover the essence of Longsword, dagger, and wrestling techniques, drawing from centuries of combat knowledge.


🗡️ **Antonio Manciolino's "Opera Nova" (1500s)**: Explore the finesse of the Side Sword, understanding the intricacies penned by a master of his time.


🗡️ **Ridolfo Capo Ferro's "Great Representation of the Art and Use of Fencing" (1600s)**: Embrace the grace and precision of Rapier techniques from a legendary fencing maestro.


🗡️ **Giuseppe Radaelli's Dueling Saber (1800s)**: Experience the art of dueling with the Saber, following in the footsteps of a revered duelist.


Join us on this journey through time and technique. Together, we'll not only master these martial arts but also uncover the values of discipline, focus, and respect. Our academy is a gateway to an ancient world where the art of the sword becomes a part of your being. Enroll now and step into a legacy that spans centuries.

Our Motto

Vincit Qui Se Vincit

It is an adaptation of a phrase from Publilius Syrus, Bis vincit qui se vincit in victoria


“He conquers twice who conquers himself when he is victorious.”


This phrase emphasizes that true victory comes not only from defeating external opponents but also from mastering oneself in the process. It highlights the idea that self-control, discipline, and personal triumphs are as significant as external achievements.


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The student's greatest challenge is to learn to conquer themselves. Learning control in action rather than reaction, overcoming doubts, insecurities, anger, arrogance, and pride will result in success in all life's endeavors.

Our Team

Meet the coaches of IRSA.  We have certified instructors or equivalent experience in the arts of combat.

  • Tony began Fencing in 1991, starting with French Foil and Hungarian saber. His unwavering commitment to the art of Fencing propelled him to earn the prestigious certification of Provost at Arms in Classical Italian foil, saber, and epee from the San Jose State’s Fencing Masters Program. Tony's pursuit of Fencing extended beyond conventional boundaries, encompassing rapier, side sword, heavy saber, longsword, and even foot combat in full armor. Tony's martial arts journey began with traditional disciplines like Shotokan Karate and Tae Kwon Do, laying a solid foundation for his understanding of combat and discipline. As he delved deeper into Fencing, his exploration expanded to include diverse martial art forms such as Aikido, Jujitsu, Kendo, Escrima, and Iaido. This parallel pursuit became a cornerstone of his expertise, allowing him to draw from an eclectic blend of training. Tony's journey culminated in developing a comprehensive understanding that bridged various martial arts, serving as a unifying scholarly foundation. This knowledge empowered him to interpret historical Italian fencing treatises with unparalleled depth and insight. Fueled by boundless knowledge and passion, Tony was inspired to establish the Italian Renaissance Swordsmanship Academy (IRSA), assuming the pivotal role of Head Coach. IRSA is a living testament to his dedication to preserving and sharing the rich heritage of Italian swordsmanship. At IRSA, Tony is a mentor and guide, shaping the next generation of martial artists. The academy offers a comprehensive curriculum spanning various Historical European Martial Arts, including dagger, heavy saber, rapier, side sword, small sword, longsword, and grappling techniques. Each weapon has its own intricacies, requiring finesse and precise techniques. Beyond his role at IRSA, Tony generously contributes his expertise to furthering the art of Fencing and swordsmanship. His advisory role to the Sonoma State Fencing Master’s Program and his position as an instructor at the Atlanta Rapier and Saber Pedagogy retreat underscore his passion for sharing knowledge and advancing the understanding of these martial arts on a broader

    Tony Barajas

    Head Coach / Instructor

  • TBA

    Jeremy Tavan

    Assistant Instructor

  • Ian has been a practitioner of martial arts since 1968. He started studying judo (British Judo Association) at school and progressed to Karate (Wu Shu Kwan) during his undergraduate studies at college. While doing his graduate program at King’s College London, he started weapons training (katana) by studying Kendo and Iaido (Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu) with the Eikoku Kendo Renmei. Moving to California in 1980, he continued training in Kendo with the Northern California Kendo Federation and the short staff in Jodo (Shindo Muso Ryu). He studied cutting with the sword (Tameshigiri) with the Shinkendo group in Livermore. Ian studied foil at George Platt’s Swordplay Fencing Academy before joining Tony Barajas’ Italian Renaissance Swordsmanship Academy.

    Ian Fry

    Assistant Instructor

  • Tina is an assistant instructor at the Italian Renaissance Swordsmanship Academy under Provost Tony Barajas. She has been fencing HEMA for eight years and classical Italian for two years. She is an instructor’s candidate at the Fencing Master’s Certificate Program at Sonoma State University scheduled to take my exam in the summer of 2024. She specializes in smallsword, saber, foil, and epee.

    Tina Ponzetti

    Assistant Instructor

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