Samurai kembu(剣舞,Kenbu)is the traditional performing art with a Japanese sword 'katana' and a Japanese fan. The word ‘kembu’ means literally ‘sword dance.’ In feudal times samurais danced with their swords and fans to give themselves courage or to achieve mental concentration.
In the movie "The Last Samurai" you can see the actor performing Kembu on the day before the battle. Usually samurai kembu players perform to a background song and music. Chinese-style poems or Japanese short poems are used for background songs.
Some songs express the bravery against enemies according to samurai beliefs and some songs air out the feelings of leaving ones hometown.